Hazards exposed to firefighters in fire - Physical, chemical, and biologic factors

Abstract

According to National Emergency Management Agency in Korea, numbers of death and injured in firefighters were 34 and 1,555 persons, respectively, between 2003 and 2007. Firefighting is a very dangerous and difficult work because of physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Firstly, physical hazards include burn induced by smoke and other combustion products, heat, noise, and ergonomic factors. Secondly, chemical hazards include chemical asphyxiants such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen sulfide, simple asphyxiants such as carbon dioxide, chemical irritants including as hydrogen chloride, and acrolein, and so on, and other carcinogens. Finally, biological hazards include infectious agents such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and so forth. We expect this study to help management and promotion of firefighters' health.