A decision from a World Health Organisation agency will lead to increased safety for firefighters. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has announced that the occupational exposure status for firefighters has been changed to Group 1, the highest danger classification.
A press release from IARC said there was sufficient evidence for cancer in humans in the profession. "Occupational exposure as a firefighter causes cancer. There was sufficient evidence for cancer in humans for the following cancer types: mesothelioma and bladder cancer," it read.
This recognition by the IARC will help to save the lives of the firefighters who save other people's lives.