Study Finds Firefighters at Risk of Mesothelioma

Toronto firefighters are joining others across the country in joining the Movember movement to grow a moustache this month and raise money for prostate cancer and men’s health. The annual fundraising event was built specifically to address prostate cancer – and firefighters have a 28% higher risk of developing it than the general population. But, firefighters are also at an increased risk of developing other cancers, including mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.

A 5-year National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study of U.S. firefighters  found a definite link between mesothelioma and firefighters. The study was the first to document what they’re calling “excess malignant mesothelioma” in firefighters, with the results tested by various analytic techniques. The authors of the study concluded,  “Our results provide evidence of a relation between firefighting and cancer. The new finding of excess malignant mesothelioma is noteworthy, given that asbestos exposure is a known hazard of firefighting.”

People often associate the risks of mesothelioma with prolonged exposure over time, as in the case of shipyard or other industrial workers who dealt with it on a daily basis. However, the link with firefighters proves that it’s not always due to constant or steady exposure.

Asbestos and Your Home
If your home was built before the late 1980’s, it’s likely to contain asbestos in one form or another. You don’t have to have a fire to potentially expose you, your family and also the people who may work on your home in one capacity or another. Any work that opens up walls or requires cutting into construction materials may restuls in asbestos exposure. This may include:

• Renovations and remodeling
• Demolition, tearing down walls
• Installing security and fire systems
• Installing new windows or doors

Your responsibilities as the homeowner are outlined by provincial laws – you can check them out at this link.

We Can Help
Let us help; our seasoned team of asbestos removal experts can handle large or smaller asbestos remediation or removal jobs.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414. Contact us for a quote today.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.