2023-10-18 14:52:43
Firefighters are exposed to many chemicals during their interventions.
Colonel Norbert Berginiat, vice-president of the National Federation of French Firefighters (FNSPF), calls on Franceinfo on Wednesday October 18 for France to recognize several cancers as occupational diseases, to “protect those who protect us”. For the first time in France, researchers have found a neurotoxic and carcinogenic chemical in the body of firefighters. These are flame retardants, a substance found everywhere in homes and used to slow the spread of fires. Colonel Norbert Berginiat also explains that from now on, certain disinfection methods make it possible to reduce the risk of exposure and that they must be generalized.
franceinfo: What types of cancer appear among firefighters?
Colonel Norbert Berginiat : This is something that is quite recent in terms of epidemiology, we have been looking at it since 2003. Certain new technologies are essential, such as retardants in foams, but all of this generates new risks that must be taken into account, and we must change our operational methods.
“Now, there are no very specific studies in France, but we know that two cancers must be recognized as occupational diseases: lung cancer and bladder cancer.”
colonel Norbert Berginiat, vice-president of the FNSPFat franceinfo
There is a WHO agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which has officially made the link between cancer and firefighter exposure. Does this give hope in this fight for the recognition of occupational diseases?
Yes, of course. Recognition as an occupational disease and treatment are positive things, but what we must above all avoid is poisoning ourselves and therefore protecting those who protect us. This is why from now on, the techniques implemented are different. Before, we only put on the breathing apparatus for the “attack” phases, when there are flames.
Now, it is obligatory from the beginning phase because we realized with epidemiological studies that materials that are still burning release potentially dangerous chemicals. This is also why we implemented, after the interventions, “human reconditioning”. That is to say, firefighters do not bring toxic materials into their fire stations or into their homes. This involves undressing on site, washing hands, faces and clothes.
For the moment, is it a recommendation or is there an obligation with verifications?
As in any prevention system, when we have something that is possible to put in place, we must put it in place. Now, the departmental services are independent establishments and depending on their possibilities, they are gradually implementing this. But we still now have many departments which have put this system in place or which will be put in place.
Furthermore, we monitor the agents more carefully, first with a medical examination, the health service is also present during major fires, and then follow-up after the interventions with questionnaires and specific examinations. We have good hope that these measures will prevent cancers, knowing that they appear years later, which is why we are only seeing them now and we must follow up.
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