Firefighter Health Frontiers: With Dr. Jeff Burgess

Send us Fan MailFirefighter Cancer & PFAS: Dr. Jeff Burgess on Exposure Reduction, Decon, and the FFCCSTravis interviews Dr. Jeff Burgess, professor and director of the Firefighter Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, about firefighter wellness with a focus on cancer and occupational exposures. Burgess explains his background in emergency medicine, toxicology, and occupational medicine and how fit-testing and medical surveillance work with Tucson and Seattle fire departments led him into firefighter health research. They discuss ongoing cancer risks from inhalation and skin absorption, PFAS “forever chemicals” from multiple sources (gear, contaminated drinking water, AFFF, and fire response), and emerging concerns such as reproductive and neurodegenerative effects. Burgess emphasizes practical exposure reduction: on-scene soap-and-water washdown (shown to cut urinary chemicals by over 30% and lower at least one PFAS), prompt gear removal and laundering, glove use when handling dirty gear, and wearing SCBA during overhaul to reduce asbestos exposure linked to mesothelioma. They also cover protections for fire investigators and highlight the Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS), launched in 2018 with 8,300+ participants across 32 states, which collects repeated blood and urine samples to track exposures over time; more info is available at ffccs.org.00:00 Meet Dr Jeff Burgess00:46 Career Path Into Research02:12 Why Firefighters05:17 Whats New In Cancer Risk07:49 PFAS Beyond The Gear11:41 Decon Showers And Washdown15:27 Clean Cab And Bagging Gear18:19 PPE For Dirty Gear Handling20:04 SCBA During Overhaul21:35 Investigator Exposure Protection27:34 Firefighter Cohort Study Explained31:32 Enroll And Closing Resources Support the showThanks for listening to All Clear!You can contact us with questions, suggestions or just to say hi at our website allclearpodcast.comAlso pick up a bag of our signature All Clear Coffee.  A unique cup that will quickly become your new morning hero in a cup!Please like and subscribe on you platform of choice!  It dosent cost you anything and it helps us more than you will ever know!