Q & A with Dr Jamie DeWitt aka ‘Toxicology Chick’ : FIREFIGHTERS, Covid-19, and PFAS.
With the recent discussion surrounding firefighters and Covid-19, we wanted to bring up the discussion of the mostly unspoken of aspect of Covid 19 and PFAS in the fire service. Particularly as it relates to firefighters who are wearing PFAS saturated turnout gear.
Last week, we saw this article by Sharon Lerner regarding PFAS and Covid-19.
That was followed by this article in FireRescue1 about firefighters and Covid-19 deaths:
And this study on First Responders and Covid 19
The Intercept article prompted a query to the science community regarding fireifghter PFAS exposure and Covid-19. In an effort to get the conversation started we reached out to our allies in the toxicology field.
Dr Dewitt was first to respond to the query. We will be adding more responses as they arrive.
Meet Dr Jamie DeWitt, Ph D, DABT, well known and highly admired by her peers:
Q. Does the PFAS in firefighter turnout gear warrant concern for firefighter’s on the front line as they interact with the public?
Answer: One of the health effects of exposure to PFAS is an altered immune system. This alteration could be suppression, which could make someone more susceptible to infections, or it could be overactivation, which could make someone develop allergies or asthma, for example. We can’t (yet) predict who will experience health effects and who won’t, but considering that firefighters already face greater threats to their health compared to other people (working with hazardous chemicals, interacting with many people each day, stress, oh, and fires!), they shouldn’t have to face another risk to their health from the gear designed to protect them. I think that it does warrant concern and we need to better understand those concerns so that we can make sure those who work to protect all of us are also protected themselves.
Q. What precautions can firefighters take to reduce their risk of Covid-19 exposure as it relates to turnout gear?
Answer: That’s a tough question! I don’t think that I know the answer. I think that this is a question bigger than COVID — what about other pathogens now and after COVID? I think the question is what are the risks to the immune health of firefighters due to PFAS in their turnout gear?
Q. We are hearing conflicting information from industry regarding studies and amounts and types of PFAS in turnout gear, with a focus on ‘watchful waiting’ by some in our institutions who are waiting for more studies on PFAS in turnout gear.
Dr Peaslee’s study shows PFBA in the 3 layers of our turnout gear, outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal layer. Recently, Dr Grandjean discovered the PFBA to be a concern for Covid-19 as it relates to inhibiting the immune system. Should the Peaslee study be enough to warrant proactive actions?
https://www.lastcallfoundation.org/nd-article
Answer: This also is a tough question. The cautious answer is “we need a study of PFBA and immune health in firefighters to establish the link.” The precautionary answer is “the presence of PFBA in turnout gear may present a health risk that we shouldn’t expect firefighters to bear.” And…is PFBA an essential use for the protection of firefighters in turnout gear?
Q. How can firefighters be better made aware of this concern in an effort to enrich their knowledge and decision to receive the Covid 19 vaccination?
Answer: I’m an immunotoxicologist with many good and dedicated colleagues at the FDA. I trust that the FDA would not approve a vaccine if they had safety concerns. As soon as I am able to get the vaccine, I’m going to get it and I’m at lower risk of exposure to COVID than firefighters. The vaccine is another tool that we can use to get COVID under control.
You may find Dr DeWitt on twitter @ToxicologyChick
Thank you Dr DeWitt
dc 12/15/2020