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More than a quarter of firefighters who were exposed to toxic smoke as they battled the Grenfell Tower fire are now suffering from long-term health disorders, new research has found.
According to the independent study by the University of Central Lancashire, with assistance from the Fire Brigades Union, 26% of surveyed firefighters who attended the Grenfell Tower fire have been experiencing life changing health effects since the tragedy in June 2017.
Of those surveyed, many are suffering from more than one health disorder. These include 66 cases of digestive diseases, 64 respiratory diseases, 22 neurological diseases and 11 cancer diagnoses.
Most firefighters unable to follow safety protocols
The study revealed that, of the 136 firefighters who reported health disorders, most had not worn respiratory protection at some point during the blaze as they were unable to follow safety protocols due to the severity of the incident.
Firefighters were exposed to smoke with gases and particulate matter at a far higher levels than the limit set by the Health and Safety Executive, with many experiencing immediate symptoms, including choking, difficulty breathing and vomiting on the night. Over three times as many firefighters who were exposed to smoke during the incident reported digestive and respiratory diseases in the three years following, compared to those who were not exposed.
Scientists warn that the full health impact of the Grenfell Tower fire is still unknown, with many cancers and diseases taking years more to develop.
“Our latest research finds that firefighters who worked inside the Grenfell Tower fire report significantly higher rates of gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurological, and other diseases compared to those who worked outside the building.
“We know that firefighters are exposed to toxic contaminants in fire throughout their careers, and that preventative measures are needed to protect their health. Although it is not possible to definitively trace any disease back to a single incident, it is alarming that a high proportion of the firefighters who were exposed to very high smoke levels that night are now falling ill.
“Given that firefighting is classified as a carcinogenic occupation by the World Health Organisation and is associated with higher mortalities from rare cancers, introducing regular health monitoring for UK firefighters is essential.”
Professor Anna Stec, Professor in Fire Chemistry and Toxicity at the University of Central Lancashire and report author.
The research is published in two papers in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine:
- Grenfell Tower Fire: Firefighters’ Activities and Their Exposure to Fire Smoke and Heat
- Grenfell Tower Fire: Toxic Effluents and Assessment of Firefighters’ Health Impacts
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