Des Moines Iowa Professional Firefighters Local 4 President Joe Van Haalen joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the heightened cancer risks firefighters face on-the-job.
Van Haalen appeared on AWF during Fire Prevention Week, which occurs from Oct. 9 to Oct. 15.
He explained that firefighters are twice as likely to develop a variety of cancers due to their heightened exposure to carcinogens. This is due to materials found within burning buildings, the equipment they work with and their clothes, some of which were made with cancer-causing chemicals called Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) that make their turnout gear more flame resistant, he added.
Van Haalen detailed the efforts of the International Association of Fire Fighters to reduce its members' cancer risk. He recently attended a summit with U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-Iowa) to advocate for the research and development of safer turnout gear, he said.
Van Haalen also talked about Fire Prevention Week and the interactions his members have with area school children to teach fire safety.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.