Asbestos and the Fire Service - A Guest Blog Entry from Orlando, Florida

Crysotile Asbestos in the raw mineral state

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I received an Email several days ago from a reader of our Blog from Orlando, Florida.

Matthew Phillips is a student at the University of Central Florida and he was interested in sharing some information that he is very passionate about. That being the proper care that should be taken when it comes to a firefighter’s health, especially with Asbestos exposure while extinguishing fires.

Matthew Phillips Guest Blog Article appears below along with some links for you to check out.

ASBESTOS AND THE FIRE SERVICE
Being vigilant is hard work, and it's a huge part of being a firefighter. But it's not enough to keep your eyes open for everyday occupational hazards. Sometimes it takes a little information to protect yourself. Cancer may not seem like an occupational hazard that a firefighter needs to watch out for, but it certainly is. In older buildings and homes, builders used a natural mineral called asbestos. It can still be found in dry wall and in insulation in those homes. Asbestos is fire-resistant, and was supposed to make a lot of homes safer for a lot of people. Today, when those homes are disturbed, for example, as you break down the walls of a burning building, asbestos fibers are released into the air. When inhaled, they may cause a deadly cancer that can attack the lungs: mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms can include shortness of breath and chest heaviness. Sound familiar? They should. These symptoms are often confused with other more common, more treatable diseases. Even worse, mesothelioma symptoms are latent, often for up to 50 years. By then, the cancer has spread and treatment is either difficult or impossible.The government has taken measures to protect professionals like firefighters, military veterans, and construction and demolition workers from asbestos exposure. Though they passed laws, like 1971's OSHA, that were supposed to protect those exposed to asbestos, there are still thousands that don't get the protection they need and deserve. Organizations like the AFL-CIO are rallying behind those who have already been exposed to asbestos and have developed mesothelioma. Though an act was passed to provide for victims, groups like AFL-CIO are fighting for more support.So what can you do? Find out more about asbestos exposure and the dangers of mesothelioma. Search the web; ask a doctor; visit a library. There are resources designed to provide us with what we need to know. With more information, you have a better chance of avoiding asbestos exposure. You've always protected us. It's time for you to protect yourselves.

Asbestos in your Home - A Primer on your Health

Thanks Matthew for sharing this with our readers.

Remember, ALWAYS wear your SCBA!!

Especially during Overhaul at a Fire Scene!!!

Chief Barlow

Dear Chief Barlow,

I wanted to send you a quick message, and see if I would be able to write a guest blog on your site (Concord High School Fire Academy). I’m very passionate about the proper care that should be taken when it comes to a firefighter’s health, especially with Asbestos exposure while extinguishing fires. I noticed that you had some health related information in some of your blog posts and I feel that an article on this topic would be of great interest to the readers of http://chsfireacademy.blogspot.com/.

Matthew Phillips, living in Orlando, Florida is a student at the University of Central Florida. MattPhillips00@gmail.com