Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks
Background: An effective risk assessment and management methodology is essential to minimize/mitigate health risks associated with firefighting activities. The use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is mandatory during structure fires to protect firefighters from hazardous fire effluents...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Fire |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/5/182 |
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| author | Joana Teixeira Cristina Delerue-Matos Alice Santos-Silva Francisca Rodrigues Marta Oliveira |
| author_facet | Joana Teixeira Cristina Delerue-Matos Alice Santos-Silva Francisca Rodrigues Marta Oliveira |
| author_sort | Joana Teixeira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: An effective risk assessment and management methodology is essential to minimize/mitigate health risks associated with firefighting activities. The use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is mandatory during structure fires to protect firefighters from hazardous fire effluents, yet the protectiveness of the SCBA system has rarely been evaluated. Objective: This study characterizes, for the first time, the levels of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) inside the SCBA facemask, during 7 structure-firefighting exercises and estimates associated respiratory risks. Methods: Cotton disk samples were collected via passive air sampling and analyzed using liquid chromatography with fluorescence and UV–Vis detection. Results: Levels of total PAHs (∑PAHs: 9.17–29.6 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) and ∑PAHs<sub>carcinogenic</sub> (0.41–5.73 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) were below the occupational limits defined by governmental agencies. The low-molecular-weight PAHs were predominant (79.5–91.4%), and the (possible/known) carcinogenic naphthalene (0.26–2.00 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), anthracene (0.088–0.31 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), chrysene (0.046–0.39 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), benzo(b+j)fluoranthene (0.18–0.40 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), and benzo(<i>a</i>)pyrene (0.041–0.18 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) were detected in all samples. The respiratory health risk analysis demonstrated negligible risks associated with the inhalation of PAHs. A health principal component analysis could identify firefighters at increased respiratory risk. Conclusions: The effectiveness of SCBA was demonstrated, reinforcing the need to ensure its correct use during all the phases of structure fires, including during overhaul. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7ee3c8da640d4cd59c7996daea37eb46 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2571-6255 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fire |
| spelling | doaj-art-7ee3c8da640d4cd59c7996daea37eb462025-08-20T02:33:59ZengMDPI AGFire2571-62552025-05-018518210.3390/fire8050182Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory RisksJoana Teixeira0Cristina Delerue-Matos1Alice Santos-Silva2Francisca Rodrigues3Marta Oliveira4REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto, PortugalREQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto, PortugalUCIBIO i4HB, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalREQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto, PortugalREQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto, PortugalBackground: An effective risk assessment and management methodology is essential to minimize/mitigate health risks associated with firefighting activities. The use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is mandatory during structure fires to protect firefighters from hazardous fire effluents, yet the protectiveness of the SCBA system has rarely been evaluated. Objective: This study characterizes, for the first time, the levels of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) inside the SCBA facemask, during 7 structure-firefighting exercises and estimates associated respiratory risks. Methods: Cotton disk samples were collected via passive air sampling and analyzed using liquid chromatography with fluorescence and UV–Vis detection. Results: Levels of total PAHs (∑PAHs: 9.17–29.6 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) and ∑PAHs<sub>carcinogenic</sub> (0.41–5.73 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) were below the occupational limits defined by governmental agencies. The low-molecular-weight PAHs were predominant (79.5–91.4%), and the (possible/known) carcinogenic naphthalene (0.26–2.00 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), anthracene (0.088–0.31 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), chrysene (0.046–0.39 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), benzo(b+j)fluoranthene (0.18–0.40 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), and benzo(<i>a</i>)pyrene (0.041–0.18 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) were detected in all samples. The respiratory health risk analysis demonstrated negligible risks associated with the inhalation of PAHs. A health principal component analysis could identify firefighters at increased respiratory risk. Conclusions: The effectiveness of SCBA was demonstrated, reinforcing the need to ensure its correct use during all the phases of structure fires, including during overhaul.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/5/182occupational exposureurban firesself-contained breathing apparatuspolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonshealth risk assessmentfirefighters’ safety |
| spellingShingle | Joana Teixeira Cristina Delerue-Matos Alice Santos-Silva Francisca Rodrigues Marta Oliveira Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks Fire occupational exposure urban fires self-contained breathing apparatus polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons health risk assessment firefighters’ safety |
| title | Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks |
| title_full | Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks |
| title_short | Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks |
| title_sort | effectiveness of self contained breathing apparatus an observational study on exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and associated respiratory risks |
| topic | occupational exposure urban fires self-contained breathing apparatus polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons health risk assessment firefighters’ safety |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/5/182 |
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