Interventions to Reduce Firefighter Cancer and Cardiovascular Risks (also known as the Firefighter Collaborative Research Project (FCRP)) (2023-2026)
Website: https://fcrp.arizona.edu/
Funding: Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR
Principal Investigator: Melissa Furlong, PhD and Jeff Burgess, MD, MS, MPH
Goal:
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce firefighter serum PFAS levels, lower cardiovascular risk, and improve epigenetic age.
Specific Aims
1. Build off existing research to determine if donating blood or plasma at regular intervals for one year will reduce serum PFAS levels in firefighters.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of PFAS reduction through blood or plasma donation, intermittent fasting, and zone 2 physical activity in improving advanced epigenetic age.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in lowering cardiovascular risk and improving the overall health and wellness of firefighters.
Anticipated Impact
If serum PFAS and their adverse health effects can be reduced through blood or plasma donation, then the results of this study will provide the evidence necessary to recommend these treatments to all firefighters and individuals in the general public with elevated serum PFAS levels. The results of research with firefighters will also inform treatments to improve advanced epigenetic age and lower cardiovascular risk in the general population.
Study Updates
1. All participant activities have concluded as of December 2025.
2. The study screened 1,932 firefighters and tested their serum for PFAS measurement and reported their individual results back
3. The study protocol was published in April 2025 and can be accessed here
4. Using screening PFAS measurements, the study identified predictors of PFAS, presented results to participants, and published results in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine here
5. We aim to complete all study analyses and submit peer-reviewed publications in 2026