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Int J Environ Res Public Health

Title:		An Exploratory Analysis of Firefighter Reproduction through Survey Data and Biomonitoring
Author(s):		Engelsman M; Banks APW; He C; Nilsson S; Blake D; Jayarthne A; Ishaq Z; Toms LL; Wang X;
Address:		"Fire and Rescue NSW, Greenacre, NSW 2190, Australia. Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia. Repromed, Auckland 1050, New Zealand. School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia"
Journal Title:		Int J Environ Res Public Health
Year:		2023
Volume:		20230411
Issue:		8
Page Number:		-
DOI:		10.3390/ijerph20085472
ISSN/ISBN:		1660-4601 (Electronic) 1661-7827 (Print) 1660-4601 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Firefighters are occupationally exposed to chemicals that may affect fertility. To investigate this effect, firefighters were recruited to contribute blood, urine, breast milk or semen samples to (1) evaluate chemical concentrations and semen parameters against fertility standards and the general population; (2) assess correlations between chemical concentrations and demographics, fire exposure and reproductive history; and (3) consider how occupational exposures may affect reproduction. A total of 774 firefighters completed the online survey, and 97 firefighters produced 125 urine samples, 113 plasma samples, 46 breast milk samples and 23 semen samples. Blood, urine and breast milk samples were analysed for chemical concentrations (semivolatile organic compounds, volatile organic compounds, metals). Semen samples were analysed for quality (volume, count, motility, morphology). Firefighter semen parameters were below WHO reference values across multiple parameters. Self-reported rates of miscarriage were higher than the general population (22% vs. 12-15%) and in line with prior firefighter studies. Estimated daily intake for infants was above reference values for multiple chemicals in breast milk. More frequent fire incident exposure (more than once per fortnight), longer duration of employment (>/=15 years) or not always using a breathing apparatus demonstrated significantly higher concentrations across a range of investigated chemicals. Findings of this study warrant further research surrounding the risk occupational exposure has on reproduction"
Keywords:		"Humans Female Biological Monitoring *Air Pollutants, Occupational/analysis *Firefighters *Occupational Exposure/analysis Reproduction biomonitoring blood breastmilk fertility firefighting occupational exposure semen urine;"
Notes:		"MedlineEngelsman, Michelle Banks, Andrew P W He, Chang Nilsson, Sandra Blake, Debbie Jayarthne, Ayomi Ishaq, Zubaria Toms, Leisa-Maree L Wang, Xianyu eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Switzerland 2023/04/28 Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Apr 11; 20(8):5472. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20085472"