Fire Research Institute Holds Forum on Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants

In Collaboration with the Korean Society of Occupational Health

On the 12th, the National Fire Agency Research Institute announced that it held a forum on the 23rd in collaboration with the Korean Society of Occupational Health to share research results such as "The impact of persistent organic pollutants occurring at fire scenes on firefighting officers" and to discuss follow-up measures.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are harmful substances that do not decompose in the natural environment and accumulate in the bodies of animals and plants through the ecosystem's food chain, causing immune system disruption and central nervous system damage.

These substances mostly occur during industrial production processes and low-temperature incineration of waste. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soot during fires and brominated flame retardants are also known as types of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

The forum included presentations and discussions on ▲the extent of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and brominated flame retardants in the firefighting environment ▲investigation of contamination on the skin surface of firefighters ▲recommendations for biomonitoring research ▲and technologies for removing harmful substances from firefighters' bodies and protective clothing.

Gu Dong-wook, Acting Director of the National Fire Agency Research Institute, stated, “Since persistent organic pollutants are dangerous substances that remain in the human body for a long time and cause health problems such as cancer and reproductive toxicity, we will actively strive for follow-up research, technology development, and dissemination to ensure that there are no health threats during field activities.”