@article {BF-2401,
	title = {Effect of protective filters on fire fighter respiratory health: field validation during prescribed burns},
	journal = {American Journal of Industrial Medicine},
	volume = {52},
	year = {2009},
	month = {01/2009},
	pages = {76 - 87},
	abstract = {Abstract
Background

Bushfire smoke contains a range of air toxics. To prevent inhalation of these toxics, fire fighters use respiratory equipment. Yet, little is known about the effectiveness of the equipment on the fire ground. Experimental trials in a smoke chamber demonstrated that, the particulate/organic vapor/formaldehyde (POVF) filter performed best under simulated conditions. This article reports on the field validation trials during prescribed burns in Western Australia.
Methods

Sixty-seven career fire fighters from the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia were allocated one of the three types of filters. Spirometry, oximetry, self-reported symptom, and personal air sampling data were collected before, during and after exposure to bushfire smoke from prescribed burns.
Results

Declines in FEV1 and SaO2 were demonstrated after 60 and 120 min exposure. A significant higher number of participants in the P filter group reported increases in respiratory symptoms after the exposure. Air sampling inside the respirators demonstrated formaldehyde levels significantly higher in the P filter group compared to the POV and the POVF filter group.
Conclusions

The field validation trials during prescribed burns supported the findings from the controlled exposure trials in the smoke chamber. Testing the effectiveness of three types of different filters under bushfire smoke conditions in the field for up to 2 hr demonstrated that the P filter is ineffective in filtering out respiratory irritants. The performance of the POV and the POVF filter appears to be equally effective after 2 hr bushfire smoke exposure in the field.},
	doi = {10.1002/ajim.20651},
	author = {De Vos, Annemarie J.B.M. and Cook, Angus and Devine, Brian and Thompson, Philip J. and Weinstein, Philip}
}
@article {BF-2402,
	title = {Respiratory Irritants in Australian Bushfire Smoke: Air Toxics Sampling in a Smoke Chamber and During Prescribed Burns},
	journal = {Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology},
	volume = {56},
	year = {2009},
	month = {4/2009},
	pages = {380 - 388},
	abstract = {Abstract Bushfire smoke contains an array of organic
and inorganic compounds, including respirable and inspirable
particles, aldehydes, and carbon monoxide. These
compounds have been found to be a health hazard for
firefighters in the United States. Despite the high frequency
of bushfires in Australia, analyses of bushfire smoke
components are scarce. As part of an occupational health
study investigating the respiratory health effects of bushfire
smoke in firefighters, air toxics sampling was undertaken in
a smoke chamber and during prescribed burns. Levels of
formaldehyde and acrolein were demonstrated at respectively
60\% and 80\% of the Short Term Exposure Limit in
the smoke chamber. Carbon monoxide levels exceeded the
peak limit of 400 ppm significantly. Although concentrations
were lower during the prescribed burns, the study
shows that Australian bushfire smoke contains air toxics of
concern and provides justification for further research into
the levels of air toxics measured},
	doi = {10.1007/s00244-008-9209-3},
	author = {De Vos, Annemarie J.B.M. and Reisen, Fabienne and Cook, Angus and Devine, Brian and Weinstein, Philip}
}
@article {BF-2332,
	title = {Effect of protective filters on fire fighter respiratory health during simulated bushfire smoke exposure},
	journal = {American Journal of Industrial Medicine},
	volume = {49},
	year = {2006},
	month = {09/2006},
	pages = {740 - 750},
	abstract = {Bushfire fighters are potentially subject to risks from bushfire smoke. Although many different protective masks and filters are available, it is not clear which is the most effective from a health and safety perspective. The effect of protective filters on the respiratory health of Western Australian urban career fire fighters under controlled simulated conditions is investigated.},
	doi = {10.1002/ajim.20369},
	author = {De Vos, Annemarie J.B.M. and Cook, Angus and Devine, Brian and Thompson, Philip J. and Weinstein, Philip}
}
@article {BF-2583,
	title = {Respiratory Health of Fire Fighters},
	year = {2006},
	month = {August 2006},
	institution = {UWA},
	abstract = {The basis for the research was to assess the effectiveness of protective filters, at the request of Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) of Western Australia. The FESA career fire fighters have - over the years - expressed their concern about the respiratory health effects from inhalation of bushfire smoke compounds, and the effectiveness of the protective filters on their masks. The protective filters issued to the FESA career fire fighters are the particulate filters, which are designed to be used against both mechanically and thermally generated particulates.

There is evidence available that the presence of toxic compounds, e.g. formaldehyde, acrolein, and carbon monoxide, in bushfire smoke may pose occupational risks for fire fighters. In particular, acute and chronic lung function impairment after exposure to bushfire smoke in the United States and Europe has been documented in the literature.
The study involved six controlled bushfire smoke exposure trials in a smoke chamber, followed by four validation trials in the field during prescribed burns. A total of 131 FESA career fire fighters participated in these study trials.

Thirty-seven particulate filters, 50 particulate/organic vapour filters, and 44 particulate/organic vapour/formaldehyde filters were tested and compared. Respiratory health symptoms were assessed by a self-completed respiratory health questionnaire, FEV1 and SaO2 measurements. In addition, personal air sampling inside the masks was conducted with each of the different filter types tested. The results indicate that the particulate/organic vapour/formaldehyde filter provides clinically and statistically significant better protection for fire fighters{\textquoteright} airways while fighting bushfires. Further research is needed to determine the breakthrough times of the filters and the effectiveness of the filters over longer periods, such as a work shift or a bushfire season.},
	author = {De Vos, Annemarie J.B.M. and Cook, Angus and Devine, Brian and Thompson, Philip J. and Weinstein, Philip}
}
