Firefighting is one of the most dangerous but rewarding jobs one can have. Firefighters are constantly exposed to numerous risks on a daily basis. Most people don’t consider the risks that can’t necessarily be seen by the eye. There is an array of pollutants and toxins that are released into that air that can be inhaled during the burning of a fire. Many older homes and buildings were built using asbestos-laced products. One of the biggest concerns for these structures during a fire is the release of asbestos fibers. These toxic microscopic fibers are extremely deadly and undetectable by the naked eye. Asbestos fibers are inhaled and attack the mesothelial lining of the lungs. This can lead to mesothelioma, a rare and highly aggressive form of cancer. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to appear because of the long latency period. By the point someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma it is often in the later stages of development. There is no proven cure for mesothelioma at the moment but there are steps one can take to help ease the process.
Asbestos was used in a variety of products in buildings. It worked as a great source of insulation against heat. Some of these products include:
- Insulation
- Roofing
- Flooring
- Siding
- Cement Sheeting
- Etc.
These fibers lay dormant until they begin to age and fall apart or they are burned in a fire. In both instances, the fibers are then released into the air. These fibers can stay suspended in the air for several days following a fire. Wetting the areas were fire occurred can sometimes be helpful in protecting the fibers from getting released into the air. It is important that firefighters continue to wear their filter masks even after the fire is put out. Often times they want to remove the mask when the fire is out but there are still lingering risks. September 11th attack put many people at risk, especially firefighters and other rescue crew. The collapse of the buildings released an enormous amount of asbestos into the air for many to breathe. Many were in direct contract with rubble from the building that also contained these tiny fibers. At one point in time asbestos fibers were even used in the protective gear worn by firefighters. In fact, in some places asbestos suits are still being produced and used by firefighters. Since asbestos was found to be toxic many policies against it have changed in an effort to help protect people from being put at risk.
The Mesothelioma Center website offers a large assortment of information on all asbestos and mesothelioma related topics. Please feel free to take a look around our website or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for constant updates.
