Evaluation of the Effect of an Exhaust Reduction System in Fire Stations

Soo Jin Kim, Jihyun Kang, Seong-Kyu Kang and Seunghon Ham
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Soo Jin Kim: Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Jihyun Kang: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon 21565, Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon 21565, Korea
Seunghon Ham: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon 21565, Korea

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of hazardous materials and combustion products during operational and training activities, as well as in fire stations. However, exposure to diesel exhaust emissions, classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is also present in the fire station environment. In this study, concentrations of elemental carbon (EC), which is a surrogate of diesel exhaust and indoor air pollutants, has been measured to compare the effect of an exhaust reduction system (ERS) that was installed in the engine bays of two fire stations to mitigate indoor air pollution levels in the garage, duty offices, and dormitory/shower areas. The levels of most pollutants were reduced after the installation of the ERS. Pollutants may disperse inside of fire stations. Therefore, the ERS is a valuable strategy to mitigate pollutant exposure among firefighters and outdoor air pollution using the filtration ability of an ERS. The results of this study suggest that all truck bays should install an ERS to reduce pollutant exposure and that installation is especially necessary for EURO 3 fire vehicles.

Keywords: exhaust reduction system (ERS); fire station; elemental carbon; indoor air quality; mitigation strategy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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