Firefighters have more than five times as many cancer causing chemicals in their bodies after tackling a blaze, warns new research.
The toxic chemicals more than quadruple the potential for DNA damage that triggers cancer, according to the study.
And the chemicals get in through their skin – rather than inhalation – meaning firefighters may need to get a decontaminating wash down as soon as they return from a job.
Scientists examined exposure by collecting urine, skin and clothing samples from Ottawa Fire Service personnel in Canada during hundreds of on-shift emergencies over two years.
They found the community heroes are at ever greater risk of developing tumours than previously feared.