Occupational risk factors and physical condition of firefighters

Abstract

Firefighters are exposed to factors that can cause acute and chronic health problems and have long-term health effects. The study aim is to review and analyse publications by authors from Russia and abroad devoted to firefighting and health impacts of different risk factors. The authors analysed studies published on MedLine, PubMed, Elibrary.ru and Cyberleninka with data on working conditions, risk factors and health impacts for firefighters spanning different categories: those who work in cities, forest firefighters, and volunteers. The authors used statistical research methods for this analysis. Findings of the studies by Russian and foreign authors were used to analyse working conditions of firefighters, as well as trends, morbidity patterns and causes of newly diagnosed disabilities, and firefighter mortality compared to population of comparable age in Russia and other countries. The authors performed comparative analysis of risks of some diseases in firefighters and mortality caused by them. The authors found that respiratory diseases account for the largest cause of morbidity in firefighters in the area under analysis. Respiratory disease and musculoskeletal disorder risks are RR=2.8 (EF=65%) and RR=2.1 (EF=53%), respectively. Respiratory and circulatory system diseases are work-related diseases. Circulatory system diseases are the largest cause of inpatient care morbidity and disability in firefighters. According to several studies, cancer morbidity and mortality in firefighters has been increasing. Some studies say that the cancer mortality rate is higher in firefighters than in peer population, although others have not found such differences. Firefighters are exposed to occupational hazards and dangers, as well as to considerable psychological stress. Rates of disability caused by sensory system conditions, circulatory system diseases and digestive diseases are higher in EMERCOM of Russia’s firefighters than in other population groups. No relationship has been found between occupational risk factors and cancer morbidity in firefighters. Such a relationship can be confirmed only as a result of epidemiological studies.