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Vol. 13 Issue 4, Fall 2008
By Suzanne Snedeker, Ph.D., Associate Director for Translational Research, BCERF
The BCERF Alert for Women Firefighters gives emergency responders information on chemical exposures encountered in all phases of firefighting, from fighting house fires and brush fires, to inspection activities long after a fire has been extinguished. Many of the chemicals generated in a fire may increase the risk of breast cancer. Most have been identified as cancer hazards by the National Toxicology Program. These include chemicals released from smoldering polyurethane foam found in upholstery and mattresses, and benzene released from vinyl shower curtains and plastic plumbing. The BCERF Alert stresses the importance of wearing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) from the moment of arrival at a fire scene until departure from the scene, to protect emergency responders from these chemical exposures.
In Person
We were invited by the Fire Service Women of New York State (NYS) to conduct two workshops for women firefighters at the Fire Science Academy in Montour Falls, NY. BCERF staff Chris Batman-Mize, Outreach Coordinator for this project, Nellie Brown, Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs, ILR Extension, and I conducted the workshops on September 20, 2008. The workshops focused on three areas: understanding how breast cancer occurs, illustrating how chemicals can be generated from fires through thermal decomposition, and the importance of wearing SCBA to protect against inhaling chemicals generated during fires and that can still be present long after fires are put out.
The women firefighters attending the workshops discussed the challenges they face in protecting themselves. Volunteer firefighter departments are often challenged by economics. Limited funding may mean not having the ability to provide properly fitting protective breathing apparatus to all personnel at the fire site. One size does not fit all. Fortunately, the culture of fighting fires has changed from accepting going into a fire without protective gear, to supporting being in full “turn out” gear that includes protective clothing and the proper respiratory protection. We are finding that many firefighters are also emergency medical technicians (EMTs), especially in rural areas. We are excited to partner with them to extend our outreach and brochure distribution to other emergency responders.
To learn more about the Fire Service Women of NYS, visit their website at: http://www.fswnys.org/.
On the Web
The BCERF Alert is now available as a downloadable brochure and also online with full references in both English and Spanish:
In Print
We are now in the third printing of the BCERF Alert for Women Firefighters brochure. We have distributed over 10,000 copies to firefighters throughout NYS and have just ordered 5,000 more copies to meet the demand for distribution to other emergency responders, including EMTs and police. Our special thanks to Cheryl Hine, Fire Protection Specialist, and Chief Rocky Jones, for all of their help disseminating the brochure to firefighters across NYS. To those of you that would like to distribute the brochure in your community, you can order print copies of the BCERF Alert brochure by contacting Chris Batman-Mize, Outreach Coordinator, at (607) 253-3805 or cgb62@cornell.edu.
Chris Batman-Mize, MSW, joined BCERF in September as Outreach Coordinator. Chris is providing outreach to New York State female firefighters in an effort to supply information about the various carcinogenic chemicals they come into contact with on a regular basis through their invaluable service work to the communities they call home. She has worked in numerous social work roles including child abuse investigator, probation officer, substance abuse counselor, and educational counselor. Most recently Chris worked with organizations with a focus on social justice issues regarding worker’s rights and benefits. She is enjoying connecting with the female firefighter population and providing information that could help them protect their health and safety.
Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors
Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Vet Box 31, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401
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