Presenter: Mr Andrew Banks (QAEHS PhD Candidate)

Abstract: Firefighting has been linked to a range of health effects including several cancers and respiratory diseases. This exposure to chemicals is likely to occur during firefighting and/or training and even indirectly through contaminated clothing and equipment brought back into fire stations. Due to the latency of long term health effects, understanding current exposure to firefighters is an important tool in mitigating these long term health effects. Biomonitoring of chemical exposure in firefighters through the analysis of urine and blood samples is a way to determine current exposure. After an extensive review, hydroxy-PAHs, OPFR metabolites and PBDEs were chosen to be the best biomarkers for monitoring exposure in firefighters.  This study aims to investigate the level of exposure and the pathway by which firefighters are exposed to these chemicals.

Venue

39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains
Room: 
QHFSS Seminar Room 103