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An International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) study has reclassified the occupation of firefighting to the highest hazard category: Group 1, “carcinogenic to humans.” The previous study, conducted by IARC in 2007, had classified firefighting as Group 2B, “possibly carcinogenic to humans."
Group 1 classification of the firefighting occupation applies to men and women, career and volunteer personnel, and both structural and wildland firefighting occupations around the world.
Although other studies have offered similar conclusions, this new study from IARC — the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) — is notable because:
To learn more about this study, see the information on the IARC website.