E2: Respiratory Protection for Wildland Firefighting: Evaluating Performance and Improving Design
San Jose State University
Oakland, CA
United States of America
Tue, 6/2: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT
Student Presentations
Student Presentations
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center
Room: 391
Description
The burden of pulmonary injury and cancer among firefighters has increased interest in adoption of respiratory protection for wildland and wildland-urban interface (W/WUI) firefighting. Yet, numerous barriers have been identified that are human, organizational and technological in nature.
Previously, we found that firefighters are mostly supportive of this change, but have concerns about the impact of respirators on fatigue, air supply, and life safety, and wanted to see data that the devices were usable and effective at reducing exposures. The research presented in this session seeks to fill these knowledge gaps, so as to support respirator adoption for W/WUI firefighting.
This session will share research findings about: 1) the user experience of firefighters with air purifying and powered air purifying respirators during simulated work activities; 2) the performance of various types of cartridges challenged with smoke in the laboratory; and 3) impact of respirator use on cancer risk arising from exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Recommendations for respirator design modification, implications for respirator selection and adoption for W/WUI firefighting, and remaining knowledge gaps will be discussed.
Previously, we found that firefighters are mostly supportive of this change, but have concerns about the impact of respirators on fatigue, air supply, and life safety, and wanted to see data that the devices were usable and effective at reducing exposures. The research presented in this session seeks to fill these knowledge gaps, so as to support respirator adoption for W/WUI firefighting.
This session will share research findings about: 1) the user experience of firefighters with air purifying and powered air purifying respirators during simulated work activities; 2) the performance of various types of cartridges challenged with smoke in the laboratory; and 3) impact of respirator use on cancer risk arising from exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Recommendations for respirator design modification, implications for respirator selection and adoption for W/WUI firefighting, and remaining knowledge gaps will be discussed.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, the participant will be able to:
• Explain the limitations of current respiratory selection practices for wildland firefighting
• Identify respirator design-related challenges for adoption of respiratory protection in wildland firefighting
• Describe trade-offs impacting respiratory protection effectiveness in wildland firefighting
• Explain how cancer risk is assessed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• List methods for assessment of user experience with respirators
• Explain the limitations of current respiratory selection practices for wildland firefighting
• Identify respirator design-related challenges for adoption of respiratory protection in wildland firefighting
• Describe trade-offs impacting respiratory protection effectiveness in wildland firefighting
• Explain how cancer risk is assessed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• List methods for assessment of user experience with respirators
Core Competencies
Chemical Hazards
Personal Protective Equipment
Keywords
Exposure Assessment
Personal protective equipment
Respiratory protection
Risk assessment and management
Session Availability
In-person
Specialized Tracks
Student and Early Career Professional Track
Targeted Audience
Professional