Firefighters may face a heightened risk of developing brain cancer due to their persistent exposure to certain chemicals, a new study has found. In a set of patients who had gliomas โ the most common type of malignant brain tumor โ cancer-causing gene mutations linked to toxic exposures were more prevalent in firefighters than in individuals from other professions, according to the study, published on Monday in Cancer.
The compounds in question, called haloalkanes, are found in flame retardants, fire extinguishers, refrigerants and pesticides and have previously been associated with a specific gene mutation that causes gliomas, the researchers noted. โGlioma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality,โ the authors warned.
