Combustion products generated in simulated industrial fires.

Studies of firefighter exposure to combustion products have focused predominantly on real or simulated residential structure fires, with few investigations considering industrial fire scenarios. This study measured the atmospheric concentrations of a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), acid gases, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produced during fires in simulated industrial premises, as well as the deposition of PAHs onto the structural firefighting ensembles worn by the firefighters involved in extinguishment activities. Ingress of these combustion products into the structural firefighting ensembles during firefighting was also measured.

Diesel particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fire stations.

Firefighters are known to be exposed to a wide variety of combustion products during operational and training firefighting activities. However, the potential for exposure to diesel exhaust emissions, recently classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, also exists within the fire station environment. In this study, concentrations of diesel particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been measured in the engine bays, duty offices and dormitory areas of eight fire stations in Queensland, Australia.