Characterization of Portuguese Wildland firefighters before a Wildfire Season: Looking at the cytogenetic effects

Esteves, Filipa; Costa, Solange; Madureira, Joana; Teixeira, João Paulo

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/8315

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Biological monitoring represents a valuable tool for assessing the potential health effects related to hazardous exposures. The increasing risk of wildfires episodes and longer fire seasons highlight the need for occupational studies enrolling wildland firefighters. Woodsmoke is a complex mixture of pollutants, some of which are listed as probable or known carcinogens. IARC has classified firefighting as potentially carcinogenic to humans. Still, few studies have been focused on the health effects associated with wildland firefighter exposure. Bio4Fox aims to establish a panel of biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighters’ occupational health during different phases (pre-, during and post- fire season). Around 173 northern Portuguese wildland firefighters (144 males and 29 females; mean age of 38.13±10.93 and 36.55±10.37, respectively) were enrolled in the pre-fire season. Data on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, health status and occupational history were collected through a validated questionnaire. We observed statistically significant results within cytogenetic effects accessed through the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome assay (BMCyt) and some self-reported variables. The frequency of cells with condensed chromatin (a marker of cell death) and binucleated cells (failed cytokinesis) was higher among females. No correlation between age, alcohol consumption, time of service and BMCyt data were found. Some related occupational factors increased the risk of cytogenetic effects (i.e., being part of Permanent Intervention Teams and having past occupational exposures). A weak, though statistically significant, positive association with DNA damage (i.e., nuclear buds) and smoking years, in former smokers, was found. Lower %micronuclei and %pycnotic were observed among subjects taking vitamin supplements and consuming vegetables, respectively. Other important diet and health status variables were related with BMCyt outputs. Our findings furnish a better characterization of Portuguese wildland firefighters before a wildfire season. We expect to contribute to the implementation of health and safety measures highly needed in this sector.