Smith William R, Montopoli George, Byerly Andy, Montopoli Michelle, Harlow Hank, Wheeler Albert R
Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
Wilderness Environ Med. 2013 Jun;24(2):141-5. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2013.01.004. Epub 2013 Feb 28.
Recent studies have shown that significant levels of mercury are being released into the atmosphere by wildland fires throughout the United States. Eagle populations in the western United States are experiencing mercury toxicity in areas where many of these massive fires are occurring. We hypothesized that wildland firefighters exposed to smoke and other contaminates from these extensive fires would also reflect elevated blood levels of mercury.
Wildland firefighters in the western United States were studied during the summers of 2007, 2008, and 2009. Pre- and post-fire season blood samples were tested for mercury in a cohort of firefighters and control subjects.
Over the course of 3 summers, 66 firefighters were studied (41 had pre- and postseason blood draws). In 2008 and 2009 a control group was added with a total of 39 subjects (24 had pre- and postseason blood draws). Detectable blood levels of mercury were found in 6 firefighters, and 1 elevated level was found over the course of the study period. Six control subjects had detectable mercury levels, and no elevated levels were found.
This study did not show statistically significant elevated blood levels of mercury in our cohort of wildland firefighters. However, as forest fires continue to ignite, we recommend continued investigation to ensure the health and safety of firefighting crews.
近期研究表明，美国各地的野火正在向大气中释放大量汞。美国西部的鹰群在许多此类大规模火灾发生的地区正遭受汞中毒。我们推测，接触这些大面积火灾产生的烟雾和其他污染物的野外消防员血液中的汞含量也会升高。
在2007年、2008年和2009年夏天对美国西部的野外消防员进行了研究。对一组消防员和对照对象在火灾季节前后采集的血液样本进行汞检测。
在3个夏天的时间里，对66名消防员进行了研究（其中41人在火灾前后都抽取了血液）。在2008年和2009年增加了一个对照组，共有39名对象（其中24人在火灾前后都抽取了血液）。在6名消防员中发现了可检测到的血液汞含量，在研究期间发现1例汞含量升高。6名对照对象有可检测到的汞含量，但未发现汞含量升高。
本研究未显示我们的野外消防员队列中血液汞含量有统计学意义的升高。然而，随着森林火灾持续发生，我们建议继续进行调查，以确保消防员的健康和安全。
