| Abstract |
Medical interviews were conducted with 79 firefighters (SIC-9224) present at a pesticides warehouse fire in July, 1974, in Alliance, Ohio. The survey was requested by the International Association of Firefighters, and was performed during December 1979 and January 1980. A questionnaire to evaluate the current psychological conditions of the firefighter was also administered. A high incidence of cough, memory loss, tension, depression, fatigue, and confusion, was found in the personnel at the fire when compared to firefighters from another city. The author suggests that the adverse health effects resulted from exposures during the fire. He recommends periodic physical examinations for firefighters, use of protective equipment, and provision of means for the outlet of tensions and pressures that build during periods of inactivity between calls. |
