Carcinogen Exposure In Firefighters

PAHs or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a class of organic pollutants from incomplete combustion reactions that vary in the degree of carcinogenicity. They pose a high risk to organisms and can be absorbed orals, via the respiratory system and dermally. Firefighters are at a small to moderate increased risk to some cancers due to PAH exposure despite wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and a SCBA respirator. This literature review focuses on the dermal exposure route. PAH absorption through the skin can be affected by sweat, sebum and temperature and has been proved very challenging to measure. Intradermal microdialysis is a novel approach to dermal absorption that allows for the continuous in vivo sampling of the skin via the interstitial fluid. The semipermeable membrane allows for bidirectional exchange of substances between the MD fiber and the interstitial fluid.