The Importance Of Wildland Firefighter Respiratory Protection

Studies have been interpreted to show that wildland firefighters are exposed to a complex mixture of combustion products including carbon monoxide, carcinogens, ultra fine respirable particles and irritant gases and vapours. The exposures to some of the most toxic combustion products mostly tend to exceed occupational short term exposure limits. That is why it is very important for wildland firefighters to take additional precaution while they are working.

Another important thing to remember is that generally, there are no specific exposure limits for smoke from fires even though firemen constantly experience multiple chemical exposures from smoke. More importantly, wildland fires are comprised of a mixture of gases and respirable particulate matter that can wreak havoc on the health of the firemen. In short, adequate protection of the right kind remains a crucial part of the gear provided to them. 

Wildland firefighter respiratory protection must be developed particularly for use under the circumstances where the above mentioned exposures are likely to happen. If these respirators and protection systems are not used as per the recommendations and the standards set by the U.S. National Fire Protection Association, the firefighters can end up suffering from the short term as well as the long term effects of the components that they are exposed to.