Doctor Worried about Plymouth MA Firefighters' Exposure to Mold in Station

PLYMOUTH, MA—A doctor is concerned about Plymouth firefighters' health due to their exposure to mold in their living quarters.

Dr. Christine Kannler of Northeast Dermatology Associates conducted a free skin cancer screening at the Cedarville fire station in May. Fire Chief Ed Bradley said the town's entire firefighting force turned out for the screening.

Kannler screened the crew and also surveyed firefighters about their health. She observed mold in the venting system, and penned a letter to Town Manager Melissa Arrighi and Public Works Director Jonathan Beder regarding this issue.

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The town had already addressed the mold issue by the time the letter was sent.

Arrighi said Tuesday that she has never ignored a complaint about mold in a building. She said she has always responded immediately to these issues.

However, Bradley noted that the mold problem at the Cedarville fire station was cleaned, not fixed, and that mold in this venting system is a chronic problem that returns after it is cleaned.

In the letter, dated Aug. 28, Kannler notes that she has been participating in the American Academy of Dermatology SPOTme program, volunteering at numerous fire stations across the state due to the increased incidence of occupational cancer in firefighters. She writes that she spotted the mold in two of the vents and warned the town about its hazards.

She also included a survey of the force that revealed 76 percent reporting rhinitis symptoms, 40 percent with frequent sinus infections and headaches, 52 percent reporting that they snore due to excessive congestion, 66 percent reporting nasal congestion, 62 percent reporting frequent post nasal drip and 54 percent reporting trouble sleeping from the conditions. Ear popping and blockage affects 34 percent, chronic sore throats impact 26 percent, according to the survey, while 22 percent reported asthma, and 22 percent have dermatitis. Wheezing is impacting 16 percent, according to the survey.

Chronic roof leaks in four of the town's seven stations has heightened concerns regarding mold. Station 7 in North Plymouth shows visible signs of it, with large, white patches on a wall. Stations 2 and 5, West and Manomet, have pernicious leaks and water damage that suggest the possible presence of mold; firefighters at these stations say they feel sick when they work there. Meanwhile, chronic flooding and leaks at Fire Station 1 have also led to pockets of mold. Bradley said mold was in the basement and some walls in the living area upstairs.

"Some walls have been removed as well as the kitchen," he added. "All were mold from leaks."

"Firefighters dedicate their lives to rescuing the public from disasters," Kannler writes in her letter. "Many times firefighters put their own safety aside to save the lives of others as they enter burning buildings and inhale noxious smoke. Firefighters already sacrifice their health and lives to ensure the safety of our communities, they should not be exposed to mold and poor air quality in fire stations and consequently suffer from mold allergic reactions."

Bradley said Kannler contacted the union Sept. 6 when she had not received a response to her letter.

Sept. 9, Town Manager Melissa Arrighi sent an email response, noting that public works crews had already addressed the mold issue at Cedarville Fire Station Aug. 9, prior to Kannler's letter to the town, and the work order was noted as completed Aug. 15.

"At this time, Cedarville Fire Station's damaged ceiling tiles were replaced and all diffusers were removed, cleaned and re-installed," Arrighi writes. "The town, through our Facilities Maintenance Division, will continue to make our multiple fire stations a priority in terms of repairs and maintenance."

This week, Arrighi noted that the town is mobilizing resources to address the different needs of the individual stations. She said she recommends a total replacement of the headquarters since the current building is not adequate. And, while Town Meeting has increased the facilities budget, the town needs dedicated funds to correct issues with all the fire stations.

"Every single person in this Town, from town leadership to elected and appointed officials to residents not engaged in daily government, want safe and secure facilities for our public safety and emergency response officials," she wrote in an email. "But all of this comes with a significant financial commitment from the public and that is prior to funding operational maintenance for the other 25 public buildings, not including the 11 school buildings."

And, while the town attacks problems with the fire stations to protect its firefighting force, the risks associated with firefighting escalate. Bradley noted that more firefighters than ever nationwide are being diagnosed with aggressive cancers like oral, digestive, respiratory and urinary cancers.

"Researchers say one big reason for the change is that firefighters today are fighting very different blazes," Bradley said. "Modern homes and businesses full of synthetics, plastics and chemicals that can explode much faster and coat firefighters in a toxic soot. Now, fire departments nationwide are ordering their men and women to take the danger from chemicals much more seriously. No longer is a firefighter's soot-covered face a badge of honor. Departments are buying air tanks that provide oxygen for 45 minutes, rather than the standard 30 minutes."

A Center for Disease Control National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study tracked nearly 30,000 firefighters across the country in 2010 and found higher rates of cancer than the general population, he added.

Congress is currently considering whether to approve the creation of a National Firefighter Cancer Registry to get a firm handle on the number of deaths, Bradley said.

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