Firefighter cancer rates can be up to twice as high as those experienced by the average U.S. worker, and a Cancer Firefighter Support Network study shows that with every five degree increase in skin temperature, absorption of dangerous chemicals increases by 400%. Therefore, it’s critical for firefighters to track their exposure to extreme temperatures, toxic chemicals, and hazardous conditions. Using this exposure information to show probabilities of future health issues can be key to the early intervention that may prolong the lives and careers of firefighters.
