Publications By Year
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Examination of Stress Among Recruit and Incumbent Women Firefighters. (Hollerbach et al., 2024)
This study examines the mental health challenges faced by women firefighters, highlighting issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and workplace discrimination. It found that while new recruits were more likely to report anxiety, experienced firefighters faced higher rates of PTSD and were more likely to experience sex discrimination and harassment. Those with higher stress levels also reported worse mental health and job satisfaction. The study stresses the need for a comprehensive approach to support women in the fire service, involving fire departments, mental health professionals, and advocacy groups, to address these mental health concerns and improve workplace conditions.
This study explored the connection between firefighting, PFAS exposure, and DNA methylation related to prostate cancer risk. Firefighters have a higher rate of prostate cancer compared to the general population, possibly due to occupational exposure to numerous toxicants including PFAS. DNA methylation is a regulator that turns genes on and off; its normal patterns can be disrupted by exposures and cumulative changes can contribute to development of diseases including cancers. In this study, we analyzed DNA methylation at specific genomic sites previously linked to prostate cancer, in 444 male firefighters. Results showed that firefighting experience was associated with changes in DNA methylation at several sites, but limited links were found between PFAS specifically and methylation at the sites measured. The findings suggest that cumulative exposures from firefighting may influence DNA methylation in prostate cancer risk areas.
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This study explored the relationship between epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and microRNAs (miRNAs), which could serve as biomarkers for health, especially for aging and certain diseases. EAA is the difference between a person's biological age (as measured by epigenetic clocks) and their chronological age. The study analyzed DNA methylation and miRNA profiles from 332 firefighters, identifying 183 miRNAs associated with EAA. These miRNAs were linked to various aging-related conditions, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and several cancers. The research found that different epigenetic clocks, were associated with distinct miRNAs, with GrimAge and Horvath clocks showing stronger connections to disease-related pathways. The findings suggest that understanding the role of miRNAs in EAA could offer insights into the molecular causes of aging and related diseases.
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This study examined the risk of miscarriage among women firefighters compared to non-firefighters and explored occupational factors that may contribute to this risk. Using data from the Health and Wellness of Women Firefighters Study, the researchers found that female firefighters had a miscarriage rate 2.33 times higher than U.S. nurses. Volunteer firefighters were found to have a greater risk of miscarriage, with those in wildland or wildland-urban-interface roles having the highest risk. The study suggests that role and employment type within the fire service may influence the risk of miscarriage, and further research is needed to better understand these associations and inform policies to protect women's health in the fire service.
Evaluation of fireground exposures using urinary PAH metabolites. (Hoppe-Jones et al., 2021)
Longitudinal evaluation of whole blood miRNA expression in firefighters. (Jung et al., 2021)
This study investigated whether changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression in firefighters are linked to occupational exposures. The researchers analyzed whole blood miRNA from 52 new recruits before and 20-37 months after live-fire training. They found that certain miRNAs were associated with employment duration, cumulative fire exposure, and time since the most recent fire. Specifically, levels of tumor-suppressive miRNAs tended to decrease, while oncogenic miRNAs increased with exposure. These findings suggest that changes in miRNA expression could be a potential biomarker for fire-related cancer risk, providing insight into the molecular mechanisms behind increased cancer risk in firefighters.
This study examined the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the blood of members of a suburban U.S. volunteer fire department. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in various products, including firefighting foams, and have been linked to health problems. The study found that certain PFAS, such as perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), were detected more frequently and at higher levels in firefighters compared to the general population. Additionally, the amount of PFDoA and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) in the blood was higher in firefighters with more years of service. These results suggest that volunteer firefighters may be exposed to PFAS through their work, highlighting the need for further research and protective measures to reduce exposure.
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Publications By Topic
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This study examined the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the blood of members of a suburban U.S. volunteer fire department. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in various products, including firefighting foams, and have been linked to health problems. The study found that certain PFAS, such as perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), were detected more frequently and at higher levels in firefighters compared to the general population. Additionally, the amount of PFDoA and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) in the blood was higher in firefighters with more years of service. These results suggest that volunteer firefighters may be exposed to PFAS through their work, highlighting the need for further research and protective measures to reduce exposure.
This study explored the connection between firefighting, PFAS exposure, and DNA methylation related to prostate cancer risk. Firefighters have a higher rate of prostate cancer compared to the general population, possibly due to occupational exposure to numerous toxicants including PFAS. DNA methylation is a regulator that turns genes on and off; its normal patterns can be disrupted by exposures and cumulative changes can contribute to development of diseases including cancers. In this study, we analyzed DNA methylation at specific genomic sites previously linked to prostate cancer, in 444 male firefighters. Results showed that firefighting experience was associated with changes in DNA methylation at several sites, but limited links were found between PFAS specifically and methylation at the sites measured. The findings suggest that cumulative exposures from firefighting may influence DNA methylation in prostate cancer risk areas.
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MicroRNA Changes in Firefighters. (Burgess et al., 2018)
DNA methylation among firefighters. (Zhou, 2019)
Repeat measures of DNA methylation in an inception cohort of firefighters. (Goodrich, 2022)
This study explored the relationship between epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and microRNAs (miRNAs), which could serve as biomarkers for health, especially for aging and certain diseases. EAA is the difference between a person's biological age (as measured by epigenetic clocks) and their chronological age. The study analyzed DNA methylation and miRNA profiles from 332 firefighters, identifying 183 miRNAs associated with EAA. These miRNAs were linked to various aging-related conditions, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and several cancers. The research found that different epigenetic clocks, were associated with distinct miRNAs, with GrimAge and Horvath clocks showing stronger connections to disease-related pathways. The findings suggest that understanding the role of miRNAs in EAA could offer insights into the molecular causes of aging and related diseases.
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Maternal and child health among female firefighters in the US. (Jahnke et al., 2018) (FFCCS Affiliated Study)
Injury correlates among a national sample of women in the US fire service. (Hollerbach et al., 2020) (FFCCS Affiliated Study)
This study examines occupational injuries among career women firefighters, revealing that nearly a third (31.7%) reported at least one injury in the past year, with dislocations, sprains, and strains being the most common. Factors like race, health, exercise habits, mental health, and job dissatisfaction were linked to higher injury rates. Almost 43% of injuries caused missed work, and 25% of women experienced chronic injuries. The findings highlight the need for strategies to reduce injuries and better protect women in the fire service.
Occupational factors and miscarriages in the US fire service: a cross-sectional analysis of women firefighters (Jung et al, 2021) (FFCCS Affiliated Study)
This study examined the risk of miscarriage among women firefighters compared to non-firefighters and explored occupational factors that may contribute to this risk. Using data from the Health and Wellness of Women Firefighters Study, the researchers found that female firefighters had a miscarriage rate 2.33 times higher than U.S. nurses. Volunteer firefighters were found to have a greater risk of miscarriage, with those in wildland or wildland-urban-interface roles having the highest risk. The study suggests that role and employment type within the fire service may influence the risk of miscarriage, and further research is needed to better understand these associations and inform policies to protect women's health in the fire service.
Anti-Müllerian hormone levels among female firefighters. (Davidson et al., 2022) (FFCCS Affiliated Study)
Firefighter occupational factors and the risk of preterm birth: results from a survey of women firefighters in the USA. (Jung et al., 2023) (FFCCS Affiliated Study)
Examination of Stress Among Recruit and Incumbent Women Firefighters (Hollerbach et al., 2024)
This study examines the mental health challenges faced by women firefighters, highlighting issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and workplace discrimination. It found that while new recruits were more likely to report anxiety, experienced firefighters faced higher rates of PTSD and were more likely to experience sex discrimination and harassment. Those with higher stress levels also reported worse mental health and job satisfaction. The study stresses the need for a comprehensive approach to support women in the fire service, involving fire departments, mental health professionals, and advocacy groups, to address these mental health concerns and improve workplace conditions.
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