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Threats


Cancer is the #1 threat to the fire service

  • From 2002-2021, cancer caused 65% of line-of duty deaths, compared to just 15% from cardiac conditions and 20% from all other causes (IAFF)
  • The problem is worseningโ€”in 2023 alone, cancer caused 72% of line-of-duty deaths (IAFF)
  • Firefighting is a Group 1 carcinogen according to the IARC, the most severe designation assigned
  • Cancer is not only more common in firefighters but also more severeโ€”for example, firefighters are 30% less likely to survive a diagnosis of bladder cancer compared to the general population (CDC)
  • According the 2023 IARC report, asbestos and PAHs play an outsized role in firefighter cancer, and PFAS “forever chemicals” found in gear are a matter of increasing concern

Asbestos

Asbestos is a Group 1 carcinogen used as a building material that is strongly associated with mesothelioma, a cancer which firefighters develop 70% more frequently than the general population. Exposure is exclusively via respiratory inhalation.

PAHs

PAHs, especially benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), another Group 1 carcinogen, are found in soot and smoke and cause lung, bladder, and skin cancers, all of which are especially common among firefighters. Exposure comes through both inhalation and dermal absorption.

PFASs

PFASs, better known as “forever chemicals,” are commonly found in firefighting gear and are known to penetrate skin. They are of increasing concern due to probable associations being found between PFASs and several types of cancer.

How effective is your decon?

What about the other 60%?

  • Respiratory decon and PPE is adequate using current best practices, but even the best dermal decon practices can leave up to 60% of carcinogens on your skin (StepOne white paper)
  • During interior attack, skin absorptivity can increase by 250% due to heat and will remain elevated for 50-80 minutes (Akomeah; Horn et al.)
  • PAHs in smoke can easily diffuse around turnout gear and reach your skin to be absorbedโ€”just when you’re most vulnerableโ€”causing many carcinogens to be absorbed before you ever begin decon (Mayer et al.)

StepOne is the industry’s first proactive dermal decon product designed for the 60%