VIDEO: For many Atlanta firefighters, the greatest danger isnโt the flames they battleโitโs the cancer risks that come with the job. Research from around the world has long linked firefighting to increased exposure to carcinogens, and Atlanta is no exception. Firefighters face significantly higher rates of several forms of cancer, including leukemia, colon, prostate, brain, multiple myeloma, skin cancer, non-Hodgkinโs lymphoma, and mesothelioma. Studies show this is largely due to repeated exposure to harmful chemicals absorbed through the skin and lungs during fire responses. The city has shared the stories of firefighters like Lieutenant Aaron McMillian and Frank Martinez, the latter of whom died from cancer nearly a decade ago.
