Health risks on the frontlines
The dangers of firefighting extend far beyond the immediate risks of flames and smoke. Every emergency call exposes firefighters to significant long-term health hazards that have transformed occupational disease into a leading cause of firefighter deaths.
Cancer has emerged as the most significant threat to firefighter health and survival. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, occupational cancer was responsible for 72% of career firefighter line-of-duty deaths in 2023, and 66% of such deaths from 2002 to 2019. This represents a dramatic shift from traditional firefighting hazards and has become an unfortunate reality of the profession.
Research conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) involving nearly 30,000 firefighters found that firefighters have a 9% higher rate of cancer diagnoses and a 14% higher rate of cancer deaths compared to the general population. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as "carcinogenic to humans" - their strongest level of evidence for cancer causation.
The root of the problem lies in the toxic environment firefighters routinely enter. Modern building materials and furnishings release numerous harmful substances when they burn, creating a complex mixture of carcinogens and toxins. During fire suppression activities, firefighters are exposed to these hazardous compounds through inhalation and skin absorption, even when wearing protective equipment.
Over time, repeated exposure to these toxic substances can lead to serious health consequences. Beyond cancer, firefighters also face elevated risks of respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. The accumulation of these occupational hazards represents one of the most significant public health challenges facing the fire service today.
This crisis has prompted increased attention to prevention strategies, improved protective equipment, enhanced decontamination procedures, and the establishment of the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer to better understand and reduce these risks in the future.
Foghouse sauna units serve a meaningful role in firehouses—helping reduce stress, promote recovery, and support long-term cardiovascular health. While there may be practical limitations—space, cost, permitting—we are committed to working with town, state, and private groups to overcome these barriers. Our mobile units are a flexible solution that could be tested or implemented without major infrastructure changes.