Article

Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in forest firefighters

  1. Christine Betchley MS1,
  2. Jane Q. Koenig PhD1,*,
  3. Gerald van Belle PhD1,
  4. Harvey Checkoway PhD1,
  5. Timothy Reinhardt MS2

Article first published online: 6 DEC 1998

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199705)31:5<503::AID-AJIM3>3.0.CO;2-U

Issue

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

Volume 31, Issue 5, pages 503–509, May 1997

Additional Information

How to Cite

Betchley, C., Koenig, J. Q., van Belle, G., Checkoway, H. and Reinhardt, T. (1997), Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in forest firefighters. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 31: 503–509. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199705)31:5<503::AID-AJIM3>3.0.CO;2-U

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Environmental Health and Epidemiology, 357234, University of Washington Seattle, WA

  2. 2

    Badian Corporation, Seattle, WA

*Department of Environmental Health, 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7234

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 DEC 1998
  2. Article first published online: 6 DEC 1998
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 22 OCT 1996

Funded by

  • Forest Service, U.S.D.A.. Grant Number: PNW 91-0031

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Keywords:

  • pulmonary function;
  • forest firefighters;
  • smoke exposure;
  • respiratory health

Abstract

This study evaluated effects on respiratory health of forest firefighters exposed to high concentrations of smoke during their work shift. This is the first study of cross-shift-respiratory effects in forest firefighters conducted on the job. Spirometric measurements and self-administered questionnaire data were collected before and after the 1992 firefighting season. Seventy-six (76) subjects were studied for cross-shift and 53 for cross-season analysis. On average, the cross-season data were collected 77.7 days after the last occupational smoke exposure. The cross-shift analysis identified significant mean individual declines in FVC, FEV1 and FEF25–75. The preshift to midshift decreases were 0.089 L. 0. 190 L. and 0.439 L/sec. respectively, with preshift to postshift declines of 0.065 L. 0.150 L. and 0.496L/sec. Mean individual declines for FVC, FEV1 and FEF25–75 of 0.033 L. 0.104 L. and 0.275 L/sec. respectively, also were noted in the cross-season analysis. The FEV1 changed significantly (p < 0.05). The use of wood for indoor heat also was associated with the declines in FEV1. Although annual lung function changes for a small subset (n = 10) indicated reversibility of effect, this study suggests a concern for potential adverse respiratory effects in forest firefighters. Am. J. Ind. Med. 31:503–509, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss. Inc.

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