Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month in California and Mitigating Exposure Risks to Hazardous Substances

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) warns that firefighters can be exposed to hundreds of different chemicals in the form of gases, vapors and particulates. Some of these chemical substances are known or suspected to cause cancer.

Both the U.S. Fire Administration and NIOSH state that cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters. The agencies also report that research suggests firefighters are at higher risk of certain types of cancers when compared to the general population. These are all reason why January has been designated as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.

“Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month is meant to educate fire service members and others about cancer risks and what can be done to reduce those risks,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “It’s also important to remember that it’s not just firefighters battling a fire that are at possible risk. Post-fire activities, such as investigations, demolition and rebuilding could all put workers at risk of exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos, lead, particulate matter and more.”

In California, fire service members and departments can turn to the material, environmental and industrial hygiene testing experts at LA Testing for help. Their laboratories offer testing services for asbestos, lead, smoke residues, gases, particulate matter, chemicals and even microbial hazards. LA Testing also provides sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments and personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators and respirator fit testing supplies.

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, material, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to asbestos, lead or other test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of mold, asbestos, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail