Firefighter Cancer: “A Medical Fact”

New research finding says firefighting is carcinogenic

When California passed the nation’s first firefighter cancer presumption act in 1982, the original law carried a five-year expiration date (repealed in 1987), known as a “sunset” provision. The reason given for this addendum was that there needed to be more evidence to confirm the link between the job of a firefighter and cancer.

Forty years and countless studies later, an international research agency recognized as the leading source for information on cancer-causing chemicals has said it as clearly as it’s ever been said. Being a firefighter causes cancer.

In a new report, to be fully published next year, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organization, has declared firefighter occupational exposures as a Group 1 carcinogen -- the most dangerous level of cancer risk. In this latest finding, the IARC is essentially putting the job of being a firefighter alongside the most dangerous chemical toxins.

“This is a huge change,” said Dr. Jeffrey Burgess, a University of Arizona researcher who was an invited researcher on the IARC finding. “If anyone had any questions previously about whether firefighting caused cancer, or was associated with cancer, I don’t think there is any question about that now. That has been settled.”

In its report, IARC reviewed the dozens upon dozens of individual studies that have identified links between chemical exposures of firefighters and various forms of cancer. It also identified numerous ways that firefighters are exposed to these chemicals are especially dangerous.

“Group 1 is a known human carcinogen,” said Dr. Burgess. “You don’t get any higher than that.”

“This is a game-changer,” said CPF President Brian Rice. “What IARC is saying is that the cancer risk of being a firefighter isn’t just a ‘theory’ -- it’s a medical fact.”

A New Tool in the Fight for Your Rights

What makes the IARC finding so significant is how definitive it is. Over the past few decades, even as the body of evidence linking firefighting to cancer has grown, agencies such as IARC hesitated to make a full-throated declaration. As recently as 2018, IARC had only proclaimed the job of being a firefighter as a “possible” carcinogen.

The IARC declaration is especially important for firefighters fighting for their lawful presumptive benefits under workers’ compensation. Local agencies and third-party administrators have taken to routinely denying and delaying claims, often disputing the link between firefighting and cancer.

“Their first mode of defense is to deny a claim.” said Bryan Frieders, President of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and former Pasadena fire chief. “It’s disgusting.”

This year, CPF-sponsored legislation (SB 1127) that cracks down on these delaying tactics won overwhelming bipartisan approval in the state Legislature. The IARC finding was a timely confirmation of the enormous weight of evidence that has already proven the link between the job of a firefighter and many types of cancer.

“This new research finding takes away any semblance of doubt about the direct link between our profession and cancer,” said Rice. “Even so, our members still have to fight for their rightful benefits. CPF is working to change that.”

Prevention: Now More Than Ever

Just because firefighting can cause cancer doesn’t mean that it automatically will cause cancer. The confirmation of the medical risk also heightens the urgency for firefighters to take the proper steps to reduce their exposure to cancer-causing toxins on the job.

“This should put in front of every firefighter a simple truth: You have a personal responsibility for reducing your risk of cancer,” said Frieders. “I shouldn’t be looking at social media and seeing (firefighters) not wearing SCBA … wearing dirty turnouts, melted helmets … or smoking cigars in the back of the station when we’re out there saying firefighting causes cancer.”

For front line firefighters, it means, at a minimum, taking the preventive steps – on scene, at the station and even at home – that will minimize exposure risks for you and your family. (see checklist, p.11)

Prevention also means recording your exposures on the job, to ensure that the chemicals, biohazards and other toxins are recognized and documented for any potential workers’ compensation claim. The range of dangerous exposures extends well beyond cancer risks: Presumption laws are also on the books for biological toxins, communicable diseases, such as covid-19, and, most recently, post-traumatic stress.

CPF’s online Personal Exposure Reporting (peronline.org) system provides an easy, secure and completely private mechanism for reporting exposures online. With a relatively easy system that works with mobile devices as well as computers, firefighters can create medical records for their exposures that belong only to them. There is even one-click documentation for routine exposures that occur in the station, such as diesel exhaust.

“Now, more than ever, it’s essential that our members report their on-the-job exposures through Personal Exposure Reporting,” Rice concluded. “Reporting ensures that the medical link is airtight, and also allows members to report other job-related exposures that can put them at risk, including PTSI.”

To read the full IARC report, go to cpf.org. To get more information on exposure reporting, go to peronline.org

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