Exposure to wildland fire on reproductive health: a focus on male fertility and health impacts on future generations

Presentation for NACAA meeting Firefighting is predominately men of reproductive age • 92% of U.S. firefighters are male • 20% of wildland firefighters are female "Fighting wildfires" by The U.S. Army is licensed under CC BY 2.0. D Occupational hazards and exposures are varied • Smoke emissions: particulate matter, carbon monoxide, VOCs, heavy metals • Other chemical exposures: asbestos, PFAS, radiation, heat • Psychosocial stressors: poor sleep, deployment stress, poor diet. Health Risks of Firefighting: Cancer • Profession is a Group 1 carcinogen • Sufficient evidence for bladder cancer and mesothelioma • Limited evidence for colon, prostate, testicular, and skin cancers, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma Heart disease • Sudden cardiac arrest is the most common cause of death in the occupation Hearing loss Rhabdomyolysis • Breakdown of muscle tissue that can result in kidney failure and death • Attributed to strenuous activity and working with heavy equipment in hot environments

Impact/Purpose

Presentation for NACAA Fall Meeting (National Association of Clean Air Agencies) meeting

Citation

Miller, C. Exposure to wildland fire on reproductive health: a focus on male fertility and health impacts on future generations. NACAA Fall Meeting (National Association of Clean Air Agencies), Alexandria, VA, October 08 - 09, 2024.