Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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Firefighters' Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in Tyre Fire

타이어 화재 대응 소방관들의 휘발성유기화합물 노출 평가

  • Won Kim (Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health) ;
  • Inja Choi (Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health) ;
  • Young-Hwan Cho (Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health) ;
  • Hye-young Jung (Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health) ;
  • Jiwoon Kwon (National Fire Research Institute of Korea) ;
  • So-Yun Lee (National Fire Research Institute of Korea)
  • Received : 2023.10.20
  • Accepted : 2023.12.07
  • Published : 2023.12.31
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Abstract

Objectives: Firefighters could be exposed to a range of toxic chemicals during firefighting. When tyre burns, various toxic chemicals including volatile organic compounds(VOCs) could be emitted. In this study, the researchers assessed the VOC exposure of firefighters during tyre fire suppression through biomonitoring. Methods: There was a big tyre fire on 12 March 2023. Of the responding firefighters, we recruited 14 participants to collect their urine after firefighting. One week later, researchers collected firefighters' urine again right after their off-duty period. We analyzed each metabolite of benzene, toluene, xylene, and styrene in urine and compared their exposure level based on sampling time. Results: The detection rate for metabolite of benzene, toluene, styrene, and xylene in urine sampled at each time was 43%-64%, 100%, 86%-100%, and 100%, respectively. Except for the benzene, metabolite levels measured in urine after firefighting were similar to that from off-duty period. However, the median concentration of benzene metabolite in urine sampled after firefighting was three times higher compared to that from off-duty period(34.2 ㎍/g crea. and 10.9 ㎍/g crea., respectively.) The estimated airborne concentration of benzene calculated from metabolite level in urine was 0.16 ppm, which exceeded the recommended exposure level set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Conclusions: This study shows that firefighters could be exposed to the high level of VOCs including benzene during their firefighting especially at tyre fire. These results could be used as a valuable data to prove firefighters' exposure to hazardous chemicals during their duty.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

대형 타이어 화재에 대응하느라 여념이 없는 와중에도 소방관들의 유해물질 노출실태 기록을 남기기 위해 본 연구에 참여해 주신 소방관들에게 깊은 감사를 드립니다.

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