How smoke from fires harms health
Smoke from fires is not just a visual barrier, but a serious health threat
Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, including forest fires. For emergency workers, these events represent an increasingly complex challenge. Smoke from fires is not just a visual barrier, but a serious health threat.
A toxic cocktail for the lungs
Smoke from fires is a cocktail of hazardous substances, including ultrafine particles, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. These substances, when inhaled, penetrate deeply into the lungs, causing a number of respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
- Airway irritation: Cough, hoarseness, difficulty breathing are common symptoms in the immediate post-exposure period
- Long-term respiratory problems: asthma, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function
- Cardiovascular disease: Increased blood pressure, heart attack, stroke
- Cancer: Prolonged exposure to smoke increases the risk of lung and other organ cancers
Risks for operators
Emergency workers are at particularly high risk due to their proximity to the sources of pollution and the duration of exposure. Fire rescue and extinguishing activities expose them to very high concentrations of pollutants, with potentially serious short- and long-term health consequences.
How to protect yourself
To minimise health risks, emergency workers must take a number of preventive measures:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): The use of certified respiratory masks, protective glasses, gloves and protective clothing is essential
- Air quality monitoring: Use tools to measure the concentration of pollutants in the air and adapt operations based on results
- Staff rotation: Shorter work shifts and frequent breaks in clean, well-ventilated environments
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to help the body eliminate toxins
- Regular medical check-ups: Undergo periodic medical checks, especially for lung function
- Specific training: Participate in training on fire safety and the correct use of PPE
Protecting health is the key
Smoke from fires is a growing challenge to the safety of emergency workers. Protecting their health is crucial not only to ensure their operational efficiency, but also to protect their long-term well-being. Investing in prevention, training and adequate equipment is essential to tackle this new frontier of occupational safety.