As a firefighter, I’m on the front lines of saving lives. As a result, I’m exposed to toxic chemicals linked to cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, thyroid disease, infertility and other diseases. And trust me: This isn’t one of those “oh everything seems to be linked to cancer these days” things.
Firefighters have some of the highest exposures to toxic chemicals of any profession in Alaska. Worse, combustion releases these chemicals into the air, meaning that when we enter a burning building, we are breathing those toxins directly into our bodies.
Firefighters have especially high rates of several types of cancer, including thyroid, bladder, prostate, testicular, breast, brain, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A recent study found that the rate of breast cancer among female firefighters aged 40-50 is six times the national average.
This problem has gotten so bad that the Legislature passed a Presumptive Cancer Law, which basically says that if a firefighter contracts certain types of cancer, the cancer is automatically assumed to be work-related, and the State becomes responsible for picking up the often-very-expensive medical tab.
Particularly in a time of budget crisis, it doesn’t make any sense to me that the state would continue to pay millions of dollars in medical bills but so far won’t take action to help protect firefighters from those problems in the first place.
Despite alarming cancer rates and other serious health concerns, our Legislature has declined to protect us from exposure to harmful fire-retardants, even ones that are proven to be ineffective.
Did you know that many common household items including building materials, furniture and children’s products contain harmful chemical flame retardants? These chemicals are found in every American home and are used in a variety of consumer products including couches, electronics, building materials, toys and children’s furniture.
Manufacturers aren’t required to label or inform us about the harmful chemicals in these products. As a firefighter I am telling you that these flame retardants are ineffective. They don’t help me do my job any better; they do make it more likely that I will contract job-related cancer.
The main problem with flame retardant chemicals is that they migrate out of products into the air and household dust and then are ingested by people who live in the house, especially children. They also make smoke from fires even more toxic, releasing corrosive and deadly gases and soot that permeate our protective gear.
The evidence is clear that flame retardant chemicals in furniture and products cause harm, and they don’t increase fire safety. Their primary function is to make more money for the chemical industry. Chemical corporations have opposed any state legislation that would protect public health from harmful exposures to toxic chemicals, even supplying fraudulent testimony to the Alaska Legislature from 2010-2012. This is unacceptable, especially when we know that there are readily available alternatives to flame retardants.
The Toxic-Free Children’s Act (SB 111/HB 199) is currently before the Legislature and would protect Alaska’s children and firefighters from exposure to toxic flame retardants in children’s products and furniture. And it doesn’t cost the state a dime.
The bill would also require labeling, which gives us the right to know about toxic chemicals and provides information for us to make informed decisions. This legislation is supported by firefighters, health care professionals, Native leaders, parents and grandparents. My fellow firefighters and I are tired of being on the front lines of toxic chemical exposure from the failures of our laws. We’re tired of seeing our friends die too young.
SB-111 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. The time has come for strong, meaningful laws on toxic chemicals. The State cannot afford to keep paying out millions of dollars in firefighter medical bills while ignoring preventative solutions.
The Toxic-Free Children’s Act is a step in the right direction, and we urge legislators like Labor & Commerce Chair Mia Costello and Senate Judiciary Chair Lesil McGuire to pass this bill out of committee. In this year of budget crisis, we should take this chance to pass forward-thinking legislation that will save money and save Alaskan lives over the long-term.
• Paul Hamby is a 20-year firefighter for the City and Borough of Juneau, and is a Southeast Representative for the Alaska Professional Firefighters Association.
