Edith Cowan University research uncovers concerns about WA bush firefighters’ masks, contaminated clothing

Many WA bush firefighters have been failing to wear adequate respiratory masks or to properly wash clothing permeated with hazardous chemicals, research has found. Edith Cowan University researcher Kiam Padamsey investigated potential harms faced by around 20,000 volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and 700 Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters, finding many had a poor understanding of the risks of bushfire smoke. Dr Padamsey, a volunteer firefighter himself, identified firefighters tackling bushfires were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Smouldering fires could emit even more harmful chemicals than flames. “It’s really only a recent conclusion that bush firefighting is a carcinogenic occupation,” he said. “Of course, there’s dangers associated with getting burnt or a tree falling on your head or rolling a truck. But those long-term chronic health effects of bush firefighting are largely not understood at all.” Dr Padamsey found a “concerning” lack of respiratory protective equipment provision, “indicating that it is likely that many firefighters in WA are attending bushfires with no breathing protection”. Firefighters from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction expressed frustration at not being provided with P3 full-face respiratory masks. The research also revealed firefighting tunics absorbed harmful chemicals and then released them later as gases — sparking concerns for firefighters who laundered their personal protective equipment at home. “My research has shown that your firefighting tunic and pants off-gases contaminants, including carcinogens, at low levels,” Dr Padamsey said. “There’s also an element of cross-contamination to the next load of washing. All firefighters should be washing their PPE in on-station sites, or get it professionally laundered — and this already occurs in the career force.” A spokesperson for DBCA said it had actively supported Dr Padamsey’s research. His early findings had prompted DBCA to award a contract for the provision of RPE that included either reusable types of half-face or full-face respirators with P2 or P3 filters. “All DBCA staff involved in fire management now have access to this protective equipment,” the spokesperson said. “DBCA is currently reviewing policies and procedures associated with laundering of PPE in order to determine the best approach to service the variety of DBCA regional and remote work centres across the State.” It comes after The West revealed the struggle faced by former volunteer firefighter Matthew Petch to get timely compensation for an aggressive cancer he believes is linked to prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals while fighting fires. His battle has highlighted a discrepancy between protections given to paid firefighters compared with volunteers. The 41-year-old father of three has endured extensive surgery since he was diagnosed with aggressive bile-duct cancer last year, which has since spread to his liver. Mr Petch has had to resort to crowdsourcing the funds he needs for immunotherapy and experimental treatment overseas.