Duke launches research into what cancer-causing chemicals Durham firefighters are exposed to

The pilot study had 20 firefighters wear silicone wristbands for a week.

"Our firefighters are exposed to so many dangers as it is,” said Durham Fire Chief Robert Zoldos II. “We don't want them taking that home, and we don't want them to live with it if we can avoid it."

Zoldos said the Durham Fire Department is looking for tangible solutions to protect firefighters. The department has also developed internal policies for advanced decontamination on scene.

"We want them to have a great career, but we want them to have a great life after their career as well," Zoldos said.

Duke researchers now want to look at a bigger population to check if the same trends hold. They plan to continue studying firefighter exposures in the years to come.

PhD Candidate Jessica Levasseur was part of Duke's research group on the study. She said step one is measuring firefighters' exposure in different times and situations.

"In order to understand firefighter cancer risks, we first have to understand what's different about firefighting, what they're exposed to, that the rest of the population isn't exposed to," Levasseur said. "Is it a combination of chemicals, or too much of just one?"

The study results showed levels of PAH, brominated flame retardants, and organophosphate esters were .5-8.5 times higher in wristbands worn on duty when compared to firefighters who were off duty. That shows firefighters are exposed to more of those compounds in general, regardless of actually responding to a fire during their shift.

The bands worn on days DFD actively fought fires had 2.5 times more PFOS, which is a kind of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances, linked to cancer), than bands worn by DFD members not called to a firefighter.

"All you need to do is put on your wristband, forget about it until it's time to take it off," Levasseur said.

Duke researchers told WRAL News they're hoping to expand the study to include more members of the Durham Fire Department in the years to come.

WRAL Investigates released a series of stories in 2018 about dangerous cancers that firefighters face.