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Respiratory Outcomes of Firefighter Exposures in the Fort McMurray Fire: A Cohort Study From Alberta Canada
Nicola Cherry1, James R Barrie, Jeremy Beach
1Division of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Dr Cherry, Dr Beach, Dr Galarneau, and Dr Mhonde); Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Dr Barrie); Medicine Dept, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Dr Wong).
Objective:
Determine effects on respiratory health of firefighters attending a catastrophic wildfire.
Methods:
Within the Alberta Administrative Health Database, we identified five community-based controls for each firefighter in a cohort of 1234 deployed to the 2016 Fort McMurray fire. Spirometry records were identified and a stratified sample assessed clinically. We estimated PM2.5 particles exposure.
Results:
Firefighters had an increased risk of asthma consultation post-fire (OR new onset asthma = 2.56; 95%CI 1.75 to 3.74). Spirometry showed decreased FEV1 and FVC with increasing exposure. In the clinical assessment, 20% had a positive MCT and 21% BWT. Those with ongoing fire-related symptoms had a higher concurrence of positive MCT and BWT (OR = 4.35; 95%CI 1.11 to 17.12). Lower diffusion capacity related to higher exposure.
Conclusions:
Massive exposures during a wildfire are associated with non-resolving airways damage.
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