Heat exposure effects and kinds of illnesses among firefighters – review

Authors

  • Anna Bitner Chair and Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
  • Paweł Zalewski Chair and Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
  • Jacek J. Klawe Chair and Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
  • Krzysztof Goryński Department of Biopharmacy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
  • Monika Zawadka Chair and Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
  • Joanna Pawlak Chair and Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/4061

Keywords

firefighters, stress, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases

Abstract

Based on the review of literature which has been published within the last 20 years it was stated that occupational hazard connected with work at the fire service is significant. Character of the work of firefighters is connected with exposure to the serious injury during the firefighting and with thermal stress which can cause dehydration and heat stroke. Moreover, scientists noticed that firefighters are exposed to stress situations which can take lead to serious psychological disorders.

Exhibition to high temperatures and substances such as carbon monoxide, benzene, asbestos, vinyl chloride or other substances produced in the course of the fire can probably cause a number of illnesses such as bronchial asthma, bronchial hyperactivity, arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease or other cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in older age. It is not fully explained whether above factors affect cancer incidence in firefighters.

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Medical and Biological Sciences

Published

2012-06-30

How to Cite

1.
BITNER, Anna, ZALEWSKI, Paweł, KLAWE, Jacek J., GORYŃSKI, Krzysztof, ZAWADKA, Monika and PAWLAK, Joanna. Heat exposure effects and kinds of illnesses among firefighters – review. Medical and Biological Sciences. Online. 30 June 2012. Vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 69-72. [Accessed 9 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/4061.

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 2 (2012)

Section

Selected articles presented during the 2nd International Conference „Europejski Wymiar Nauk o Zdrowiu”

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