Firefighter Matt Alba recalls, "I turned back to my crew and said, Oh man, I just took five years off my life with that inhale... before I came down with brain cancer." His haunting experience symbolizes the health risks firefighters face battling wildfires.
The article emphasizes that cancer is the No. 1 cause of death among firefighters, with many inhaling toxic smoke from wildfires. Alba’s story underscores the impact of insufficient respiratory protection.
The changing nature of wildfires fueled by climate change means urban areas are now more at risk, and firefighters are battling increasingly intense fires while often lacking proper protective gear.
Despite awareness and new efforts after the Camp Fire, there are still no effective portable respirators for wildland firefighters that can adequately protect against the complex toxic mix of smoke and chemicals.
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