Abstract A29: Silicone-based wristband passive samplers in the detection of firefighter occupational carcinogenic exposures
Authors: Caban-Martinez Alberto J. , Santiago Katerina M. , Baum Jeramy , Schaefer Solle Natasha N. , Daunert Sylvia , Deo Sapna , Kobetz Erin N. 
Published: June 2022

Introduction: First responders (i.e., paramedics and firefighters) are exposed to hazardous chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)in the conduct of their work duties. Linking mixed chemical exposures to health conditions (e.g., cancer) is difficult given the latency period of disease, the magnitude of the potential doses, or interactions of carcinogenic compounds present while firefighting. To understand the relationship between environmental exposures and resulting toxicity, passive personal sampling devices (PSDs) have been used to monitor. In the present study, we 1) describe the type of chemical exposures encountered by firefighters in their work environment, 2) characterize and compare chemical exposures by work-shift activities (e.g., fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazmat), and 3) field test the use of silicone-based wristbands for monitoring chemical exposures in firefighters.

Methods: Twenty-four wristbands were deployed across various fire services throughout South Florida. Prior to deployment, bands were cleaned using a standardized cleaning protocol to remove contamination and optimize the surface for absorption. Wristbands were then packaged in airtight bags to prevent contamination. Wristbands were worn on fire service personnel and collected at the end of a 24-hour work shift. Chemical contaminants were then extracted from the wristband and analyzed for PAHs—identified using the EPA IRIS, California Proposition 65, and IRAC datasets—using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results: The average number of chemicals found across all wristbands (n=24) was 23 with 4 categorized as carcinogenic to humans (i.e., benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, chrysene, and naphthalene). All bands had at least one PAH present, specifically, 87.5% contained benzo[b]fluoranthene (mean=5.23 ng/band), 50% contained benzo[j]fluoranthene (mean=2.05 ng/band), 79.2% contained chrysene (mean=9.55 ng/band), and 100% contained napthalene (mean=176.53 ng/band). Actual types of exposure compounds are likely to be larger than the observed data as the group of PAHs detected was limited to three existing datasets.

Discussion: Silicone-based wristbands are feasible to use within the fire service to detect and characterize ambient hazardous chemical compounds. These personal self-samplers used during a 24-hour collection period identified various PAHs in the firefighter work environment. Objective measures of harmful chemical exposures in the fire service should be monitored with a comprehensive surveillance system that includes personal sampler devices.

Citation Format: Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, Katerina M. Santiago, Jeramy Baum, Natasha N. Schaefer Solle, Sylvia Daunert, Sapna Deo, Erin N. Kobetz. Silicone-based wristband passive samplers in the detection of firefighter occupational carcinogenic exposures [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Environmental Carcinogenesis: Potential Pathway to Cancer Prevention; 2019 Jun 22-24; Charlotte, NC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2020;13(7 Suppl): Abstract nr A29.