North Carolina environmental quality is associated with distant/metastatic breast cancer: evidence for rural-urban disparities

First responders (i.e., paramedics and firefighters) are exposed to hazardous chemicals in the conduct of their work duties such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Linking mixed chemical exposures to health conditions (e.g., cancer) is difficult given the latency period of disease, the magnitude of the potential doses or interactions of carcinogenic compounds present while firefighting. To understand the relationship between environmental exposures and resulting toxicity, passive personal sampling devices (PSDs) have been used to monitor. In the present study, we 1) describe the type of chemical exposures encountered by firefighters in their work environment; 2) characterize and compare chemical exposures by work-shift activities (e.g., fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazmat) and 3) field test the use of siliconebased wristbands for monitoring chemical exposures in firefighters.