The Effect of Fire Smoke Exposure on Firefighters’ Lung Function: A Meta-Analysis

Joana V. Barbosa, Mariana Farraia, Pedro T. B. S. Branco, Maria Conceição M. Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando G. Martins, Isabella Annesi-Maesano and Sofia I. V. Sousa ()
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Joana V. Barbosa: Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Mariana Farraia: Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Pedro T. B. S. Branco: Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Maria Conceição M. Alvim-Ferraz: Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Fernando G. Martins: Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Isabella Annesi-Maesano: Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IDESP), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Montpellier University, 34093 Montpellier, France
Sofia I. V. Sousa: Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-18

Abstract: Firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful substances during firefighting. Exposure to fire smoke has been associated with a decrease in their lung function. However, the cause–effect relationship between those two factors is not yet demonstrated. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the potential associations between firefighters’ occupational exposure and their lung function deterioration. Studies were identified from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct databases (August 1990–March 2021). The studies were included when reporting the lung function values of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) or Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The meta-analyses were performed using the generic inverse variance in R software with a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis was used to determine if the lung function was influenced by a potential study effect or by the participants’ characteristics. A total of 5562 participants from 24 studies were included. No significant difference was found between firefighters’ predicted FEV 1 from wildland, 97.64% (95% CI: 91.45–103.82%; I 2 = 99%), and urban fires, 99.71% (95% CI: 96.75–102.67%; I 2 = 98%). Similar results were found for the predicted FVC. Nevertheless, the mean values of firefighters’ predicted lung function varied significantly among studies, suggesting many confounders, such as trials’ design, statistical methods, methodologies applied, firefighters’ daily exposure and career length, hindering an appropriate comparison between the studies.

Keywords: firefighters; lung function; meta-analysis; occupational exposure; FVC and FEV 1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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