Firefighters in the Texas city of Austin are being monitored and are undergoing health checks after potentially being exposed to asbestos at a warehouse fire.
On Thursday last week, a three-alarm fire was reported and more than 110 firefighters attended the scene. Officials now suspect that there may have been an asbestos risk in the warehouse.
An Austin Fire Department spokesperson said after the blaze, “We’re sending approximately 115 individuals for X-rays as a precautionary measure.
“Should they develop some sort of medical issue later as a result that needed treatment, establishing a baseline record and paperwork now ensures less red tape later for them to get care, even though it would be covered under the presumptive law regardless.
“We want to take care of our folks, and doing this protects them both while they’re still working for us and into retirement, too.”
Firefighters traditionally have a much higher risk of asbestos exposure than the general population, due to the higher likelihood of older buildings containing asbestos, coupled with their higher risk of fire.
First responders are often exposed to contaminants and toxins without being aware, and may end up breathing in or ingesting airborne carcinogens like asbestos fibres. In the United States, firefighters have twice the likelihood of being diagnosed with mesothelioma than other professions.