Implications of the California Wildfires for Health, Communities, and Preparedness

Implications of the California Wildfires for Health, Communities, and Preparedness
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 161
Release: 2020-08-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309499909

California and other wildfire-prone western states have experienced a substantial increase in the number and intensity of wildfires in recent years. Wildlands and climate experts expect these trends to continue and quite likely to worsen in coming years. Wildfires and other disasters can be particularly devastating for vulnerable communities. Members of these communities tend to experience worse health outcomes from disasters, have fewer resources for responding and rebuilding, and receive less assistance from state, local, and federal agencies. Because burning wood releases particulate matter and other toxicants, the health effects of wildfires extend well beyond burns. In addition, deposition of toxicants in soil and water can result in chronic as well as acute exposures. On June 4-5, 2019, four different entities within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a workshop titled Implications of the California Wildfires for Health, Communities, and Preparedness at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis. The workshop explored the population health, environmental health, emergency preparedness, and health equity consequences of increasingly strong and numerous wildfires, particularly in California. This publication is a summary of the presentations and discussion of the workshop.

Smoke Exposure Among Wildland Firefighters

Smoke Exposure Among Wildland Firefighters
Author: Timothy E. Reinhardt
Publisher: Ecosystems Research Alliance
Total Pages: 72
Release: 1997
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN:

This paper reviews and summarizes literature about smoke exposure and the resulting adverse effects among wildland firefighters.

Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide

Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide
Author: NWCG
Publisher: NWCG Training Branch
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2014-06-06
Genre:
ISBN:

The Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide is a revision of what used to be called the Fireline Handbook, PMS 410-1. This guide has been renamed because, over time, the original purpose of the Fireline Handbook had been replaced by the Incident Response Pocket Guide, PMS 461. As a result, this new guide is aimed at a different audience, and it was felt a new name was in order.

Health Risks and Fair Compensation in the Fire Service

Health Risks and Fair Compensation in the Fire Service
Author: Tee L. Guidotti
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 302
Release: 2015-10-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3319230697

This book is an overview of the hazards of firefighting, the health risks of exposure to combustion products that characterize firefighting, the science behind interpreting these risks for purposes of identifying diseases as work-related, and the legal and policy implications of adopting legislated “presumption” for purposes of compensation. The emphasis of the book will be on the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, traumatic hazards, and disabling psychosocial adjustment following major incidents. Several new studies have appeared recently, including the largest study of firefighters ever done, by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). They evidence supports the conclusion that firefighters face significant occupational health risks in addition to the obviously severe safety hazards.

Niosh Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments

Niosh Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments
Author: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.)
Publisher: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2018-08-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780160946561

Occupational exposure to heat can result in injuries, disease, reduced productivity, and death. To address this hazard, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has evaluated the scientific data on heat stress and hot environments and has updated the Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Hot Environments [NIOSH 1986a]. This updated guidance includes information about physiological changes that result from heat stress, and relevant studies such as those on caffeine use, evidence to redefine heat stroke, and more. Related products: Weather & Climate collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/weather-climate Emergency Management & First Responders can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/emergency-management-first-responders Fire Management collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/fire-management

Long-Term Health Consequences of Exposure to Burn Pits in Iraq and Afghanistan

Long-Term Health Consequences of Exposure to Burn Pits in Iraq and Afghanistan
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2011-10-31
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 030921758X

Many veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have health problems they believe are related to their exposure to the smoke from the burning of waste in open-air "burn pits" on military bases. Particular controversy surrounds the burn pit used to dispose of solid waste at Joint Base Balad in Iraq, which burned up to 200 tons of waste per day in 2007. The Department of Veterans Affairs asked the IOM to form a committee to determine the long-term health effects from exposure to these burn pits. Insufficient evidence prevented the IOM committee from developing firm conclusions. This report, therefore, recommends that, along with more efficient data-gathering methods, a study be conducted that would evaluate the health status of service members from their time of deployment over many years to determine their incidence of chronic diseases.