A new study has found that firefighters may be more likely to develop specific gene mutations linked to gliomas, the most common type of malignant brain tumor. The research, published in Cancer, suggests that chemical exposure on the job may play a role in increasing this risk.
The Role of Chemical Exposure
The study focused on mutational signatures, or patterns of gene mutations, that have been linked to exposure to haloalkanes—a group of chemicals used in:
- Flame retardants
- Fire extinguishants
- Refrigerants
- Industrial products
Since firefighters are frequently exposed to these chemicals, researchers wanted to investigate whether they were more likely to develop glioma-related mutations than individuals in other jobs.
Study Findings
The research analyzed 35 patients with gliomas from the University of California Adult Glioma Study. Of these, 17 were firefighters, while 18 had other occupations. The results showed that firefighters were significantly more likely to have the haloalkane-associated gene mutation, particularly those who had been in the profession for many years.
Interestingly, even among non-firefighters, those in certain jobs—such as car painting and machine maintenance—also showed a higher likelihood of having this mutational signature, suggesting that haloalkane exposure in other industries may also pose a risk.
What This Means for Public Health
Lead researcher Dr. Elizabeth B. Claus, a professor at Yale University School of Public Health and neurosurgeon at Mass General Brigham, emphasized that while these findings are preliminary, they highlight a potential occupational health hazard for firefighters and others exposed to haloalkanes.
“Our study provides early evidence, but we need a larger data set and a wider range of occupations to confirm the findings,” Dr. Claus said.
Identifying these chemical exposures is crucial because it could help develop public health interventions and workplace safety measures to reduce the risk of harmful mutations.
Next Steps
Future research will focus on:
- Expanding the study to include more participants
- Investigating other occupations with similar chemical exposures
- Exploring ways to minimize exposure to haloalkanes in high-risk jobs
For now, the study underscores the importance of protective measures for firefighters and others who may come into contact with these chemicals, as well as further investigation into the long-term health effects of occupational chemical exposure.
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The research findings can be found in Cancer.
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