Prospective study of hepatic, renal, and haematological surveillance in hazardous materials firefighters

Objectives - To evaluate possible health effects related to work with hazar dous materials as measured by end organ effect markers in a large cohort ov er about 2 years, and in a subcohort over 5 years. Methods - Hepatic, renal, and haematological variables were analysed from 1 996-98 in hazardous materials firefighters including 288 hazardous material s technicians (81%) and 68 support workers (19%). The same end organ effect markers in a subcohort of the technicians were also analysed (n=35) from 1 993-98. Support workers were considered as controls because they are also f irefighters, but had a low potential exposure to hazardous materials. Results - During the study period, no serious injuries or exposures were re ported. For the end organ effect markers studied, no significant difference s were found between technicians and support workers at either year 1 or ye ar 3. After adjustment for a change in laboratory, no significant longitudi nal changes were found within groups for any of the markers except for crea tinine which decreased for both technicians (p<0.001) and controls (p<0.01) . Conclusions - Health effects related to work are infrequent among hazardous materials technicians. Haematological, hepatic, and renal testing is not r equired on an annual basis and has limited use in detecting health effects in hazardous materials technicians.