Essex firefighter shares cancer story to encourage others to take precautions
New findings show that firefighters are at an increased risk of contracting cancer.
Essex firefighter Sid McNally was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2012, after six months of chemotherapy and treatment, he was cleared to return to work.
His colleague Steve, diagnosed with the same form of cancer, didn't make it.
Sid's story highlights the grave dangers that firefighters put themselves through to keep people safe.
New research by Anna Stec, Professor of Fire Chemistry and Toxicity at the University of Lancaster has found that 4.1% of firefighters she surveyed had already been diagnosed with cancer, compared with less than 1% of the general population.
This suggests that a firefighter is four times more likely than the ordinary citizen to contract cancer. The primary cause for this increased risk is their frequent exposure to carcinogens, cancer causing agents, that are released in burning houses and buildings.
Sid says: " I contracted something commonly called smoker's cancer, the doctor told me. I don't smoke and I don't drink excessively, so I don't have the risk factors that general people have when they contract head and neck cancer.
"The doctor was quite confused when I told him I don't smoke".
When Anna Stec and her team tested the air inside fire stations and training centres, they found high levels of toxic contaminants present. They traced it to cancer-causing chemicals remaining on PPE clothing, equipment, and elsewhere at the fire ground. The contaminants can also be communicated to other people and objects through touch.
When Sid was diagnosed 9 years ago, he was given an 80 per cent chance of survival. While he welcomed this number at the time, he now ponders,
"If we flip it around and someone says you have a 20 per cent chance of dying by going to work, hold on a minute. I don't like those numbers all of a sudden".
The best way to ensure safety is through proper sanitization and cleaning procedures of the uniform and equipment used.
But having a dirty uniform was considered a badge of honour. "The dirtier your gear was, your colleagues could see that you were involved in some serious stuff. You'd leave it on your peg for as long as possible, in that condition. You'd then wear it over and over again, with all the carcinogens still on them", Sid says.
He adds that they weren't aware of the consequences that these actions could cause.
The Fire Brigades Union is now stepping in and have implemented a new training program that informs the cadets and officers about the actions they must take before, during, and after every fire incident to help reduce their own, their co-workers’ and their families’ exposure to these toxic substances, which are termed ‘contaminants’. It encourages firefighters to change simple behaviours, such as better cleaning practices around fire kit and firefighters themselves
Sid believes that officers who follow these procedures are more likely to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. He says, "These youngsters coming in, if they follow the guidelines set out by the FBU, if they try and apply the safety measures and practices then hopefully they will go back home safe to their family everyday."