Abstract
Introduction: The work of firefighters is one of the most risk in terms of potential health hazards. Firefighters are exposed to hazardous combustion products, which can have both acute and chronic effects.
The aim of this project was to investigate what changes in ventilation parameters occur in firefighters early after a fire exposure. Methodology: Twenty-four firefighters (mean age 37.1 years) participated in the project and were exposed to combustion products during training in a device simulating a real fire exposure (flashover container).
Spirometry was performed before, immediately after and the next day. Before exposure, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement was taken to assess possible allergic inflammation in the airways.
Results: The mean FeNO value in the subjects was 18.8 ppb (range 5-59). When measuring resting spirometry before the intervention, one person had a reduced FEV1 value (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), reduced values of peripheral airway obstruction (MEF-maximal expiratory flow rates at different levels of forced vital capacity) were found in 18 persons, increased values of airway resistance (Rocc) in 12 persons.
The vital capacity (VC) of the lungs was normal in all persons. Immediately after the training intervention, the mean value of all the monitored ventilatory parameters improved in the group of subjects.
The changes were significant in the parameters FEV1, MEF25 (maximum expiratory flow rate at 25 % of the forced vital capacity), AEX (area under the expiratory part of the curve) (p <= 0.001), FVC (forced vital capacity) and Rocc (p < 0.01). On the second day, there was a deterioration of the monitored ventilatory parameters, both with respect to the values immediately after the exposure and to the initial values.
Changes on the second day after the exposure compared to pre-exposure values were significant for the VC parameter, Rocc (p < 0.001), FEV1 (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The monitoring of ventilation parameters during the simulated fire incident showed that the deterioration occurred only after the second day, both in dynamic and static parameters.
Thus, from the point of view of the recovery of the firefighters' organism, recovery in the days following the intervention is very important.