Title: Firefighters exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during structural fires

Abstract

Firefighting is an occupational activity classified as possible carcinogen to human by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Firefighters are regularly exposed to health-relevant substances such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter, volatile and semivolatile organic compounds during firefighting. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during the incomplete combustion of organic materials being among the most studied class of pollutants at firefighting scenarios. PAHs have toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties and regular exposure promotes reproductive, developmental, cardiorespiratory, and immune toxic effects in humans. This work presents an overview of firefighters’ exposure to airborne PAHs during structural fires. Scientific literature was searched in Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases and a total of 21 studies was selected. Information emerges from studies performed on the USA, Australia, Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Denmark. Evidence demonstrates the presence of 16 PAHs included in the United States Environmental Protection Agency priority pollutant list in the ambient and personal air of firefighters. Moreover, the presence of PAHs inside the structural ensemble of firefighters was also reported but at lower levels than the ones found in the respective ambient air. PAHs classified as known (benzo(a)pyrene) and probable/ possible (naphthalene, benz(a)anthracene, benzofluoranthene derivatives, chrysene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, and indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene) carcinogens to human by IARC were found in the breathable air of firefighters inside structural ensembles. Further studies are needed to better characterize the emissions of structural fires and their contribution to firefighters’ total exposure to PAHs and the associated potential health risks. Funding: This work was financially supported by the project PCIF/SSO/0090/2019 by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (MCTES) through national funds. This work also received support by UIDB/50006/2020, UIDP/50006/2020, and PCIF/SSO/0017/2018 through national funds. M. Oliveira thanks to the scientific contract CEEC Individual 2017 Program Contract (CEECIND/03666/2017).