Resolution No. 36 – Cancer Causing Toxic Flame Retardants

Resolution No. 36
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Health & Safety
Re: Cancer Causing Toxic Flame Retardants – Disposed of by Resolution 34

1	WHEREAS, every year, California adds
2	anywhere from 15 to 20 names to the California
3	Firefighters Memorial in Capitol Park, many of them
4	the victims of occupational cancer caused by
5	prolonged exposure to carcinogens on the job; and
6	WHEREAS, the toxins contained within chemical
7	flame retardants, and those compounds released
8	when they burn, contribute to high rates of certain
9	cancers among fire fighters. When chemical flame
10	retardants burn they convert into dioxin and furans,
11	which expose fire fighters to dangerous levels of
12	extremely toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that
13	can penetrate protective gear; and
14	WHEREAS, every time a fire fighter enters a
15	structure fire, they are confronted with a haze of
16	toxins and compounds released by smoldering
17	furniture. The cumulative effect of these exposures
18	over the course of a career can be devastating; and
19	WHEREAS, the toxic gasses seep into their
20	protective clothing and sometimes penetrate
21	breathing apparatus. Fire fighters also inhale them
22	directly during overhaul and mop-up operations
23	when they aren’t wearing breathing apparatus; and
24	WHEREAS, fire fighters are at particular risk
25	during the clean up or “overhaul” of a burn site,
26	when the need for protective gear may not be
27	apparent. Skin contact with soot that contains dioxin
28	and furans from combusted chemical flame
29	retardants is a key route of exposure to fire fighters;
30	and
31	WHEREAS, even our brothers and sisters back at
32	the station are exposed, because these toxins stay on
33	our protective equipment; and
34	WHEREAS, an analysis of 32 related studies
35	published in the The Journal of Occupational and
36	Environmental Medicine revealed that fire fighters
37	have significantly elevated rates of four types of
38	cancer, which is likely due to their routine exposure
39	to complex mixtures, such as the toxic products
40	created when chemical fire retardants burn: multiple
41	myeloma; non-hodgkin’s lymphoma; prostate cancer;
42	and testicular cancer; and
43	WHEREAS, the presence of certain chemical
44	flame retardants are a direct threat to the health and
45	safety of our members. More importantly, they are a
46	threat to the health and safety of the people we are
47	sworn to serve. That’s why we actively endorsed the
48	updated TB-117-2013 standard and are currently
49	proudly sponsoring SB 1019 (Leno, D-San
50	Francisco); and
51	Whereas, the National Fire Protection
52	Association, International Code Council,
53	Underwriters Laboratories and other similar
54	organizations play an important role in the
55	development of flame retardant tests and related
56	standards for upholstered furniture, furniture textiles
57	and the like; and
58	WHEREAS, nationally-recognized standards have
59	a direct impact on the health and safety of CPF
60	members; and
61	WHEREAS, firefighting has inherent risks, but all
62	efforts to minimize fire fighters’ exposure to toxic
63	chemicals and other fire ground health and safety
64	issues must be aggressively pursued; therefore be it
65	RESOLVED, That the IAFF formulate a position
66	on the use, regulation, testing and health-based safety
67	standards for flame retardant chemicals and other
68	toxic chemicals, which fire fighters are exposed to on
69	a daily basis; and be it further
70	RESOLVED, That the IAFF ensure that any
71	federal legislation on the use or manufacturing of
72	flame retardants, industrial chemicals and other
73	toxins shall protect the rights and abilities of state
74	and municipalities to enact laws regarding the use of
75	said products, while opposing any and all federal
76	legislation that has preemption against allowing
77	states to ban or regulate flame retardants, industrial
78	chemicals, toxins and other specific hazardous
79	chemicals; and be it further
80	RESOLVED, That the IAFF work to ensure that
81	the use of carcinogenic flame retardants and other
82	toxic chemicals are eliminated and safer alternatives
83	or methods are pursued, such as California’s standard
84	TB-117-2013, including the development of non-
85	toxic standards through the National Fire Protection
86	Association, International Code Council,
87	Underwriters Laboratories and similar testing
88	organizations; and be it further
89	Resolved, That the IAFF gather additional
90	scientific research and studies regarding fire fighter
91	exposure to carcinogens, toxic flame retardants and
92	other toxic chemicals, as well as continue to educate,
93	train and heighten the awareness of its members to
94	the dangers of these toxic chemicals and seek
95	preventative measures to lessen fire fighters risk of
96	developing cancer.

Submitted by: California Professional Firefighters
Cost Estimate: None

Resolution No. 36 – Cancer Causing Toxic Flame Retardants

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