Fire Dept Policies for Health
 

After visiting briefly with a Capt in the Fire Dept of a large city, I realized that the health issues she had concern about could be easily avoided with Dept policies for health of workers.

First, they let the fire engines idle inside as they do their daily 'check' of the equipment. So, the diesel fumes were going as far as the second story of the sleeping quarters and setting the smoke detectors off, just from the ionization alteration. Well, try to sleep or work breathing those fumes all day. Besides the 'who knows what additives' to gasoline (butyl ether is being banned in CA, but not fully phased out) ... there is the benzene and other harmful components of fuel. Why do you think they have switched to so many self-serve gasoline stations these days? This exposure is extremely hazardous. One may note a drop in blood cell counts for white, red and platelets ... from the benzene exposure: aplastic anemia.

Now, they use solvents to clean up oil off the garage floor. You can count on there being 2-butoxyethanol in these; if it cleans good, it's a strong possibility. Could these vapors also filter into the sleeping quarters? Aren't the fire dept stations manned 24 hours a day? And don't some have to sleep there, too?

Now, she said several workers worked as painters 'on the side' OOPS! that means if they are exposed too much to the harmful chemical in paint, they can expel it for a time in their breath and expose everyone in the 'bunk house' to the solvent of harm: second hand solvent exposure. (Ask the 'gulf war syndrome' vets' spouses and little children about that) Here is an example of second hand solvent exposure Do your eyes burn and hurt?

Well, she shares that her bones in her lower back hurt; she has fatigue ALL THE TIME; she has traces of blood in her urine. I personally think many in that fire dept could have the CFS, CFIDS, or 'gulf war syndrome' symptoms TOO

What does 2-butoxyethanol do?

AND these things!

Maybe a fire dept should take this survey & see how many may have FATIGUE that could be avoided with proper Fire Dept Policies for Health in place.

Gun cleaning, by the way, must have this chemical in it, so that means those in the police dept including corrections Depts all across our land are also at high risk for 'gulf war syndrome' health damage. No wonder they tell the gulf war vets of 1990-1991 that they are no more harmed than the general population. The general population IS very harmed by this chemical. Why can't the USA find the REAL cause of 'gulf war syndrome' or the fatigue of CFS - CFIDS?

Another health check for any considering this as the cause of their fatigue & 'grouchiness' you want to know whether you have too many immature red blood cells. I wish it were part of the routine blood test; maybe some day it will be! Also ask the size and shape of the red blood cells.

So, what is this fatigue that has been eluding medical science?
There should also be compensated hemolytic anemia going on if this is so.

And when there are too many immature red blood cells other tests can be 'off'

So everyone should know if this is a fatigue that affects them.

For those who are affected, it is time to stop usine strong pain medications for the 'symptoms' and get to the root cause of harm. Those who specialize in the harm of chemicals will tell you that if you are health damaged from a chemical exposure, thereafter you should avoid any unnecessary chemicals in the future. Often you note allergies starting up, etc. as side-symptoms of too much of a chemical exposure. Pain medication? ... may do more harm than good.

Here are some consultants versed in chemical effects ... for your doctor to work with

Note this info with an idea of how to do a health study.

We're pretty good about using the plymovent on our rigs while they are in the bays. We do our rig checks outside with the bay doors shut if the engines are idling. Don't carry or clean guns while on duty (we're the good guys!!!). But, I understand your concerns.

Thanks for sharing
 

Glad to hear this good report.

Can you give me any suggestions on how to find the root cause of so many health ailments today, should they be caused by 2-butoxyethanol?

Here is my question and comments to a chemical testing company - often they can find chemicals that are still residual in your system, but not so with this chemical,


8-17-04 Subject: how to tell if blood in urine?
To: kveasey@accuchem.com

OK, so there isn't a test for 2-butoxyethanol chemical exposure ...

(Makes sense because it is said to leave the body 24-48 hours after exposure;

however, second hand solvent exposure is ongoing for many www.valdezlink.com/cfid_share.htm )

I believe it is the cause of fatigue in CFS, CFIDS, gulf war syndrome, for painters; for those in the plastics business; those who have cleaned up oil - from our Fire depts and mechanics, to the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers in particular; AND the average ordinary housewife who cleans her oven, her bathtub ... with cleaners like Lysol Tub 'n Tile, 409 Cleaner, Simple Green, etc. www.valdezlink.com/sg_audrey.htm

So, is this an easy test, finding trace blood in urine?

There is eventually going to be a diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia for those exposed to 2-butoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) www.valdezlink.com/same.htm

And the test that should show positive for all of these also is having too many immature red blood cells (not in the sense of too much blood; but in the sense of the ratio between mature and immature red blood cells being OK) www.valdezlink.com/why_fatigue.htm

Could you have people contact me who have fatigue & want to be part of a study I am hoping to organize?

Sincerely,

Margaret D. Hursh
PO Box 233
Valdez, AK 99686

1-888-853-5333
(907) 835-5333

e-mail mother_margaret@yahoo.com

www.valdezlink.com/1989photos.htm

Maggie
 

Your friend, the woman who?s a fire captain, could get into a lot of trouble. If she is ?Knowingly? exposing her subordinates to a clear and present danger she could suffer punishment and is certainly opening herself to law suites. Regardless of department policy, it's her job to keep her people safe, that is a moral imperative. She had an obligation to defy regulations, if any exist, regarding the long term running of the engines of those vehicles in the bays. She also has on obligation to file a grievance to prohibit his practice.

All police departments that I know of do have policies regarding the cleaning of weapons, particularly after getting off the firing range. The weapons Shall be clean outdoors or in a well ventilated designated area. The training doesn?t end when the last shot is fired, cleaning and maintenance is on going.

I?d also mention there are numerous reasons for irregular or immature red or white blood cells. Similarly, there are dozens of reasons for traces of blood in the urine. When a persons tests positive they should be worried about cancer. Other ailments, though some are rather serious, are less often fatal.

Firemedic, ?we are the good guys?. Back in the 70s when racial and anti-war protests (sometimes riots) were in full bloom the Fire Unions in Massachusetts were concerned about helping police. If they used fire hoses on crowds they were worried radicals would target them. As a result a law was passed that firefighters were not allowed to be deputized by police and could not be ordered by police to assist in riots. The Unions also issued free bumper stickers to it?s members that read, ?We fight fires, not people?. It was taken so far that a Fire Marshall had to resign from his department and was employed directly by the D.A.?s office. Go figure.

Stay healthy,
Andy

fire trucks running
 

sorry, fire trucks don't run in the bays for more than what it takes to get them in or out of the bay. We have drive through bays so the ventilation is good. If fatique is a problem then maybe a weight machine and a running track would help. Its easy to blame others for a unfit condition, when infact, its the bowl of icecream and coke while sitting in the recliner thats most of the problem.

The Capt. should lead by example and take the crew to the Gym.
Or to the icecream stand. She has to pick one.

Ron

We had special bays
 

We had special bays for maintence that were specially ventilated and hoses went over the exhaust pipes. I think you are absolutely correct Ron. Most fatique is self induced. Too much time spent in the kitchen and not in exercise room.

Keith