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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research was to identify the composition of soils on firefighter turnout gear and to determine the dermal exposure risks associated with the soils. Nine used Nomex hoods from the Philadelphia fire department were analyzed for the presence of trace metals and seven sets of used turnout gear were analyzed for semi-volatile organics. Turnout gear samples were removed from areas of the gear known to have high levels of dermal absorption including the collar, armpit, wrist, and crotch areas, from either the outer shell or thermal liner layers. The following compounds were detected: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalate plasticizers, and polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs). A screening risk assessment was conducted by converting the measured concentrations to an estimated dermally absorbed dose based on estimates for the permeation coefficient (Kp) and an assumed firefighting exposure scenario. Benzo(a) pyrene had the highest dermal exposure risk based on carcinogenic effects and PBDE-99 had the highest dermal exposure risk based on non-carcinogenic effects. For the metals, arsenic had the highest dermal exposure risk for the use hoods.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge that Tabitha Huston's master's thesis project contributed significantly to this article. The author would like to thank the following industry committee members: Chief Henry Costo, Philadelphia Fire Department; Richard Young and Deborah Lander, DuPont USA; Don Aldridge, Jim Baker and Karen Lehtonen, Lion Apparel, Inc.; Daniel Silvestri of 911 Safety Equipment; Joey Underwood, Safety Components; Holly Blake, WL Gore; Brian Shields, Kim Henry and Diane Hess of PBI Products for their support and commitment to this study.
