RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Fire Battalion Chief Bailey Martin says his team knows the risk they face while fighting fires across the city.
It’s what lingers after the job is over that’s more worrisome.
“Many of our members have had cancer, we’ve also had some active members that have passed due to cancer, and several retired members as well have passed from cancer, after they’ve retired over the years,” Martin said.
Martin said more firefighters a decade or longer into their career are getting cancer diagnoses that stem from carcinogens, chemicals, and smoke they’re exposed to while on the job.
“A lot of goods that we use in our homes are now petroleum-based, so they have more carcinogens than some of the natural products and fibers that were used to make furniture and some of the other things that are around your home,” Martin said. “The inside of the home has changed a lot over the years, which has put us at a higher risk of cancer.”
WTVR