Firefighters link health problems to line of work
In complete contrast to my last entry comes this report from The United Firefighters Union in Australia, which says at least five forms of cancer are much more common among firefighters than the general population.
The union's national president, Mick Farrell, says cancer is far more insidious in burning buildings because of all the toxic chemicals and the toxic smoke. Of course, these toxic chemicals will include asbestos. Mr Farrell says the union is following the lead of the US and Canada, where new laws guarantee that firefighters who develop certain forms of cancer automatically receive paid medical care.
John Bashford,president of a doctor's group called the Private Cancer Physicians of Australia says that he supports the firefighters' push for automatic treatment for one of the diseases on their list. Guess which one.
It is, of course, good old Meso. The Good Doctor is quoted as saying:
"There is certainly some evidence of a link to mesothelioma, and I think they ought to be covered appropriately for that. Mesothelioma is a rare tumor in any one other than those exposed to asbestos, so its presence almost certainly means that they've been exposed in their occupation."
Read the report in full at Firefighters link health problems to line of work