Firefighters’ health and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure
Chief Investigators
- Prof Deborah Glass
- Prof Karen Walker-Bone
- Prof Malcolm Sim
- Prof Lin Fritschi (Curtin University)
- Prof Kyle Steenland (Emory University)
Funding
Funded by NHMRC as a Targeted call for Research into the health effects of PFAS.
Estimated completion date
Three-year grant extended to 2024.
Summary
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were listed in 2009 under Annex B (restriction) of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.[1] A major use of PFAS has been in firefighting foams and firefighters are probably the largest occupationally-exposed group of workers.[1] There is limited literature in the health effects of exposure to PFAS
The specific aims of the study are to identify whether there are increased health risks associated with PFAS exposure from firefighter foams and whether there are exposure-response relationships for any identified increased risk:
- cancers, in particular bladder, renal and testicular cancer
- death or increased morbidity from liver, kidney, and metabolic outcomes
- cardiovascular outcomes including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke
- neurophysiological outcomes; e.g. effects on sleep
- autoimmune effects
The hypotheses are that work with PFAS firefighting foams are associated with increased risks of cancer and with increased morbidity and mortality from a range of outcomes.
Agencies taking part
- Airservices Australia (ASA)
- Australian Capital Territory Fire and Rescue (ACTFR)
- Country Fire Authority (CFA)
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA (DFES WA)
- Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW)
- Fire and Rescue Victoria (FRV)
- NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS)
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES)
Study Advisory Committee
This study had an Advisory Committee whose membership was drawn from AFAC, fire agencies, trade unions and volunteer firefighter associations.