Decreased Pulmonary Function Over 5 Years in US Firefighters

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in pulmonary function over a 5-year period in US firefighters. METHODS: Spirometry values from occupational medical examinations separated by 5 years (2009 to 2016) were examined from 662 career firefighters in Virginia. Predicted values and expected 5-year changes in one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC were estimated using reference equations generated from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data. Paired t-tests were used to identify significant changes over time and between the observed and expected changes. RESULTS: FEV1 and FVC (percentage of predicted) decreased (P < 0.001) from 100.9 ± 0.6% to 92.3 ± 0.5% and 99.0 ± 0.6% to 91.9 ± 0.5%, respectfully. The observed decreases in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were two to four times greater (P < 0.001) than the expected decrease over 5 years. CONCLUSION: Increased efforts are needed to ensure respiratory protection for US firefighters to minimize their risk of pulmonary damage.