FIRE FIGHTER FATALITY INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM

Study of Cancer among United States Fire Fighters

In 2010, NIOSH researchers, with funding assistance from the U.S. Fire Administration launched a multi-year study to examine whether fire fighters have a higher risk of cancer and other causes of death due to job exposures. Our study was designed to address limitations of previous fire fighter cancer research.

Project background and goals

• Our study includes a significantly larger population. With more than 30,000 career fire fighters who served in Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Fire Departments between 1950 and 2010, it is the largest study of United States fire fighters ever undertaken. In addition, both non-white and female fire fighters are represented.
• We will look not only at deaths from cancer, but also at the diagnosis of certain kinds of cancer, such as testicular and prostate cancer, which have higher survival rates. We will also examine other causes of death. This will help to better understand the risk for various cancers and illnesses among fire fighters compared to the general public.
• Our study will examine more exposures than previous studies. We will look at the number and type of fire runs made (for example, EMS and vehicle fire) and the use of personal protective equipment and diesel exhaust controls.

Download the protocol  (31 pages, 315K) for more details about the study.

Study progress

Originally, we hoped to include 18,000 current and retired fire fighters in our study. With excellent cooperation from the three fire departments, we have identified more than 30,000 fire fighters for the study. We have made many trips to each location to collect data. All of the data for our study come from existing records. We have gathered records of detailed work histories of the position(s) each fire fighter held and the length of time he/she spent in that position. We are currently working to determine exposure risks for each fire fighter.

Project timeline

2010

• NIOSH and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) announced the initiation of a study of United States fire fighters.
• Partnership established with the National Cancer Institute.
• Approximately 30,000 fire fighters from Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco were identified for the study.
• Work began to collect records on fire fighters employed between 1950 and 2010.

2011

• List of fire fighters included in the study was completed for San Francisco and Chicago Fire Departments and started for the Philadelphia Fire Department.
• Exposure records collection started.
• Work history data collection completed for all departments.

2012

• Health outcomes will be identified.

2013

• Study analyses are expected be completed.
• Health risk among fire fighters will be determined.

2014

• Results will be communicated to fire fighters, stakeholders, and the public.

Newsletter

Read the latest newsletter to learn more about our study and progress.

Summer 2012 newsletter (4 pages, 437K),

Fall 2011 newsletter (4 pages, 889K)

Additional NIOSH fire fighter cancer research:

Cancer incidence among male Massachusetts firefighters, 1987-2003

The study examined the cancer risk in white male fire fighters compared to police and all other occupations in the state's cancer registry for the period from 1986 to 2003. Moderately elevated risks were found among firefighters for colon cancer and brain cancer. Weaker evidence of increased risk was found for bladder and kidney cancer and for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Mortality in Florida professional firefighters, 1972 to 1999

This study found no higher rate of death for all types of cancers for Florida fire fighters compared to the state's general population. However, data suggest that firefighters may have a higher death rate than the general population from bladder cancer.

Controlling diesel exhaust exposure inside firehouses

Fire fighters can be exposed to diesel exhaust in their living quarters if the exhaust is not properly captured. The article reviews the health effects of diesel exhaust, including its potential to cause cancer. Three ways to control emissions are described along with a list of seven practices that may help reduce exposures to diesel exhaust.

Mortality among fire fighters: A 27 state survey

The study examined all deaths among white male fire fighters from 1984-1990. Compared to the general population, fire fighters had an increased number of deaths from rectal, skin, kidney, lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Questions and Comments

If you have questions about the study, please email FFstudy@cdc.gov or call the Industrywide Studies Branch, 513-841-4203. We also welcome suggestions for how we could further improve or expand our website and encourage you to send ideas for how we could better serve you.