The results are in, which begs the question:
Do PFOS and PFOA pose a risk to my health and wellbeing?
As members should be aware, last year Airservices engaged the University of Queensland to conduct a study to evaluate workplace exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFOS, PFHxS & PFOA). If you chose to participate in the study you most likely would have received your results over the last week or so. A brief summary of the results are listed below:
“Higher levels of PFOS and PFHxS were found in the serum of ARFF staff compared to the general Australian and US population.
Higher levels of PFOS and PFHxS were found in those who had been employed in jobs with foam contact for a longer period of time”.
(The University of Queensland, 2014)
Find out more ....
I am a retired District Inspector of a State Rural Fire Service. I was exposed to PFOS/PFOA regularly in training wildfire suppression, bambi bucket refilling, structural and vehiclular fires, where I became wet for hours at a time, sometimes many times a day until the fire was brought under control. My neck lands became enlarged and surgery and biopsy reveals Progressive Transformation of Germinal Centres with follicular hyperplasia.
Untreated there is a risk of my glands developing into Non Hodgkins Lymphoma or another such type.
My old fire service workers compensation scheme does not want to recognise my claim that workplace exposure to PFOS/PFOA is the primary cause for my condition. I suffer now on chemotherapy for two years, with very reduced health and lifestyle.
The bio markers of raised cholesterol, haemaglobin were present in my blood, as is the formation now of coronary artery occlusion becoming evident in my tests to date, which has been mentioned also as a PFOS/PFOA generated illness. At the end of the day, we were all firefighters and we all stood side by side. None of us were told the truth about the dangers of PFOS/PFOA, no MSDS sheets, No PPE upgrade etc.
Gee, mine was washed with my families clothes at home.
I havent asked for anything other than that they recognise my condition s being workplace exposure. Given the length they have gone to deny my claim, I guess they don’t want to admit any truth’s.
Good luck fellows.
Claude Chase BM