Associations between exposure to airway irritants and respiratory effects in fire fighters and police-officers

Exposure to airway irritants emitted at chemical incidents and fires could
cause adverse respiratory effects. Studies suggest that fire fighters are at
risk of developing acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and that also
obstructive pulmonary changes can develop. Further cases show developing asthma
symptoms during intensive extinguishments, that possibly mark an increased risk
of Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome. At the same time much is not clear on
the basis of the literature. Especially the relation with exposue has not been
well established. Exposure to airway irritants has been described is just a few
studies. Furthermore the explaining mechanisms have only been revealed in a
very restrictive sense. Therefore it is difficult to assess long-term risks.

Is there an association between involvement in incidents with airway irritants
and respiratory effects in first responders.

Observational, cross-sectional study (n=400) with longitudinal study of a
subsample of the population (n=50).

The burden of participation is minimal; cross-sectional part: questionnaire, 1
bloodsample, 1 methacholine provocation test, 1 sputum induction; longitudinal
part: 3 bloodsamples, 2 methacholine provocation tests, 1 sputum induction.

Required time for the cross-sectional part: 1 hour; longitudinal part: 1 *
hour. The methacholine test and the sputum induction may lead to mild dyspnoea,
that will be treated with medicins.
The results of the study may lead to avoidance of exposure on an individual
level and to reduction of exposure on a group level.