Non-cancer occupational health risks in firefighters

Background
Firefighters are exposed to a number of different workplace hazards. As a result of this and the perception of increased ill-health symptoms, a systematic review was carried out to identify significant associations.

Aims
To carry out a systematic review of evidence relating to non-cancer occupational health risks in firefighters.

Methods
Systematic literature searches were conducted using a predetermined search strategy that encompassed terms describing the population of interest and health outcomes. Titles and abstracts identified were subjected to an initial screening process using specified guidelines. Included papers were reviewed and data extracted. Additional material, in the form of papers cited by those selected for review, was also obtained and, where relevant, added to the review. Extracted data were then collated into evidence tables to support the narrative review.

Results
Relatively few papers were identified that addressed forms of ill-health in firefighters other than cancer. Nine papers were considered covering each of coronary heart disease and respiratory health. Other ill-health outcomes studied were hearing loss (five studies); hip osteoarthritis (two studies); and sarcoidosis (two studies). None of these sets of papers provided conclusive evidence of a consistent relationship between the specified disease outcomes and the occupation as a firefighter; although, in some instances (hearing loss, respiratory health, and hip and knee osteoarthritis), there were limited indications of some effect.

Conclusions
None of the sets of papers reviewed showed any consistent association between the occupation of firefighter and any of a number of non-cancer disease and ill-health outcomes.