The Effect of Fire Smoke Exposure on Firefighters' Lung Function: A Meta-Analysis

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Barbosa, JV (Author) FEUP; Farraia, M (Author) Other; Branco, PTBS (Author) FEUP; Alvim-Ferraz, MCM (Author) Other; Martins, FG (Author) FEUP; Annesi-Maesano, I (Author) Other; Sousa, SIV (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Vol. 19 No. 3, Article 1488

ISSN: 1661-7827

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-KHS

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416799

Abstract (EN): Firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful substances during firefighting. Exposure to fire smoke has been associated with a decrease in their lung function. However, the cause-effect relationship between those two factors is not yet demonstrated. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the potential associations between firefighters' occupational exposure and their lung function deterioration. Studies were identified from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct databases (August 1990-March 2021). The studies were included when reporting the lung function values of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1) or Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The meta-analyses were performed using the generic inverse variance in R software with a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis was used to determine if the lung function was influenced by a potential study effect or by the participants' characteristics. A total of 5562 participants from 24 studies were included. No significant difference was found between firefighters' predicted FEV1 from wildland, 97.64% (95% CI: 91.45-103.82%; I-2 = 99%), and urban fires, 99.71% (95% CI: 96.75-102.67%; I-2 = 98%). Similar results were found for the predicted FVC. Nevertheless, the mean values of firefighters' predicted lung function varied significantly among studies, suggesting many confounders, such as trials' design, statistical methods, methodologies applied, firefighters' daily exposure and career length, hindering an appropriate comparison between the studies.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 18