Inflammatory and psychological consequences of chronic high exposure firefighting

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103399Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • High exposure firefighting causes systemic inflammation.

  • Systemic inflammation may increase risk of illness.

  • Self-reported mood and fatigue may not reflect these underlying health issues.

  • Regularity of objective health checks for high exposure individuals should be considered.

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the impact of extreme heat exposure frequency on inflammation and well-being in UK Fire Service personnel.

Methods

136 Fire personnel and 14 controls (CON) were recruited [92 Firefighters (FF), 44 Breathing Apparatus Instructors (BAI)]. BAI were split into low (LBAI; ≤15 exposures per month) and high (HBAI; ≥20 exposures per month) categories. Measures of inflammation, mood and fatigue were collected at 0, 3 and 6 month times points. These variables were analysed for differences between groups and association with frequency of exposure.

Results

HBAI exhibited raised IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IgE and lower IgM (p < 0.05). In addition, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IgM were associated with monthly exposure number, with exposures accounting for 15.4% of the variance in IL-6, 11.8% of IL-1β and 25.2% of IL-10. No differences in mood or fatigue were reported (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

High exposure firefighting consistently causes systemic inflammation without perceptual recognition of potential health risks.

Keywords

Occupation
Heat
Inflammation
Exposure
Biomarkers
Fire

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