Often, workers contact PFAS without knowing the danger of this exposure. Scientists have found that workers exposed to PFAS have a higher risk of kidney, testicular, and liver cancer. However, these investigators continue to study worker exposures to more fully understand the health impacts and protect worker health.
At-Risk Jobs
To fully understanding PFAS exposure and kidney cancer risk scientists must identify at-risk occupations. Certain occupations involve higher levels of exposure to PFAS. Usually, the nature of the work elevates the risk of kidney cancer. Examples of high-risk occupations include:
- Firefighters
- Industrial workers
- Manufacturing
- Oilfield drilling
- Airport workers
These workers may directly encounter PFAS chemicals on the job and not know it. Therefore, these workers may sustain high levels of exposure because they do not wear adequate protective gear. Workers typically sustain exposure by breathing, ingesting, and absorbing PFAS into their bodies. Researchers continue to explore the correlation between occupational exposure to PFAS and the increased risk of cancer.
Firefighter Cancer Risks: Protecting Those at the Frontlines
Considering the potential impact of occupational exposure, it becomes crucial to find at-risk occupations associated with elevated PFAS exposure. For example, firefighters face exposure due to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams. Moreover, firefighters sustain exposure through turnout gear having PFAS. Additionally, dust holding PFAS accumulates in the firehouses where firefighters eat, sleep, and work. Therefore, firefighters sustain cumulative exposures through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption pathways.
Airport Worker PFAS Exposures
Additionally, airport workers sustain exposure through fire and evacuation training. Training often involves airport personnel going into planes while firefighters spray foam. In an actual emergency, airport workers enter aircraft to remove luggage and cargo soaked in firefighting foam. They may also clean up planes doused with firefighting foam.
Urgent Action Needed
Because chemical companies manufacturing firefighting foam did not warn of the danger, workers did not protect themselves and employers did not require protective equipment. As scientific knowledge grows, stringent occupational safety guidelines to minimize PFAS exposure in at risk professions becomes increasingly urgent. The evolving scientific evidence will help to guide regulators, unions, and employers to better protect workers at risk of exposure to PFAS chemicals.
