Two US studies reported increased incidence of certain cancers among male firefighters.

An investigation of cancer cases in the US state of Massachussetts between 1982 and 1986 found the incidence of melanoma was three times greater in firefighters than in other occupations. Bladder cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were also more frequent among firefighters, with an incidence that was 1.6 times that of other occupations.

A second study looked only at cases of cancer that resulted in death. One 2,000 Seattle firefighters employed between 1945 and 1983 were investigated. Compared to other occupations, the researchers found increases in deaths among firefighters from the blood cancers leukaemia and myeloma.

For firefighters with at least 30 years service, death from leukaemia was increases five times and myeloma nine times. The authors of both studies identified benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and asbestos as key carcinogen exposures.

A third report looking at birth defects in the offspring of firefighers identified about 50 chemical exposures faced by firefighters, many of the substances linked to cancer.

Many jurisdictions, notably in the US, Canada and Australia, have since introduced presumptive legislation, granting compensation automatically to many firefighters suffering a number of named cancers.

SR Sama and others. Cancer incidence among Massachussetts firefighters, 1982-86, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, volume 18, issue 1, pages 47-54, 1990.
N Heyer and others. Cohort mortality study of Seattle firefighters: 1945-1983, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, volume 17, issue 4, pages 493-504, 1990.
AF Olshan and others. Birth defects among offspring of firemen, American Journal of Epidemiology, volume 131, pages 312-321, 1990.