A recent study has unveiled serious health impacts on firefighters who tackled the catastrophic Grenfell Tower blaze in 2017. Researchers found a disturbingly high rate of severe illnesses, such as cancer and respiratory diseases, among those first responders.
According to The Guardian, the grim findings underscore an urgent need for enhanced health screening programs akin to those post-9/11.
The Grenfell Tower fire, which erupted on June 14, 2017, was the most devastating residential fire in the UK since World War II. Combustible cladding on the 23-storey building intensified the blaze, ultimately leading to 72 deaths.
Research focused on 524 of the 628 firefighters who battled the inferno in its initial 20 hours reveals a troubling rise in health issues.
Of these, 136 have since developed life-altering conditions. The list of ailments includes 11 cancer diagnoses, 64 cases of respiratory diseases, 22 neurological disorders, and 66 digestive illnesses.
This marked increase in health problems among the firefighters highlights serious long-term impacts of exposure to hazardous environments.
Increase In Health Issues Reveals Safety Equipment Lapses
Firefighters faced the inferno without adequate respiratory protection, a critical failure that exposed them to high levels of toxic smoke. Jamie McDonnell, one of the afflicted firefighters, was diagnosed in 2019 with an incurable form of cancer.
His testimony and others have spotlighted the dire need for proper equipment and improved decontamination procedures post-incident.
The lack of essential safety gear and subsequent health ramifications have not only affected the firefighters' physical health but also prompted a reevaluation of their medical support systems. Compared to their unexposed colleagues, these firefighters have experienced a tripling in rates of respiratory and digestive diseases as of 2020.
Comparison to 9/11 Health Initiatives Highlights Gaps
Professor Anna Stec, who co-authored the impactful study, emphasized the concerning health trends observed among the Grenfell responders. "Considering that certain cancers have a long latency period, it is anticipated that the number of health disorders in GT firefighters may increase over the next decade," she explained, underlining the potential delayed emergence of further illnesses.
Stec also stressed the difficulty in directly linking illnesses to the disaster, yet noted, "a high proportion of the firefighters who were exposed to very high smoke levels that night are now falling ill." Her findings have catalyzed calls for permanent, robust health monitoring systems akin to those developed for 9/11 responders in the U.S.
Officials and Experts Emphasize the Need for Immediate Changes
The Fire Brigades Union has been vociferous in its demand for systemic changes. Matt Wrack, the union's general secretary, points to "powerful evidence that firefighters were exposed to extreme levels of toxic smoke at the tower, many without any respiratory protection." He asserts that the experience following 9/11 demonstrates the critical need for enhanced health testing to extend firefighters' and residents' lives.
The Home Office has responded to these disturbing revelations by acknowledging the clear link between firefighters' exposure to contaminants and their subsequent health problems. "The health and safety of firefighters is of paramount importance, and emerging research indicating that they may be exposed to contaminants is concerning," a spokesperson said, signifying a move towards serious action to bolster fire and rescue services.
As the debate continues, the health crisis among Grenfell firefighters serves as a poignant reminder of the risks they face and the ongoing need for improved protective measures to safeguard these vital community protectors against future tragedies.
