Fire Fighting and Pulmonary Function

To determine the effects of exposure to combustion products, 1,768 Boston fire fighters were studied from 1970 to 1971. The majority of fire fighters experienced increased mucus production and a general malaise after such exposures. Requiring oxygen at fires, being overcome, and smoke inhalation were reported with lesser but still significant frequency. Analysis of the pulmonary function data indicated that lower ventilatory capacity was related to some occupational factors. Cigarette smoking was also important. Prolonged mucus secretion after occupational exposures was associated with lower lung function. Cigarette smoking was also strongly associated with this symptom. The daily exposure indicators were often associated with larger ventilatory capacity. This might have been due in part to self-selection by fire fighters; only healthy firemen can fight fires. As expected, cigarette smoking was associated with a lower forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second. The latter volume was la...