International Assocation
of Fire Fighters Alberta
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE
Recognize · Prevent · Detect
Fire Fighters are at a disproportionately greater risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases over the course of their careers.
Occupational Evidence
Our occupational cancer work began with simple observations. We observed our peers developing cancer at rates greater than the average person. We then began to study the correlation between cancer and firefighting, and can now prove causation.
Currently, we are witnessing the same story play out again, but this time with neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's Disease.
Emerging Research
These are devastating diagnoses, with studies and epidemiological literature showing occupational causation related to firefighting.
The occupational evidence continues to build. The data is becoming compelling, and soon there will be no doubt that Fire Fighters are at a disproportionately greater risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases over the course of a career.
An Opportunity to Lead
Alberta has an opportunity to again lead other jurisdictions by recognizing neurodegenerative diseases as presumptive diseases for firefighting.
The Ask:
For the Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Innovation to rename the Fire Fighters Primary Site Cancer Regulation to the Fire Fighters Occupational Disease Regulation and add ALS and Parkinson's Disease as presumptive occupational diseases for Fire Fighters.
The Evidence
Goutman et al. (2022) — Occupational Exposures & ALS
Goutman et al. (2022) identified occupational exposure to particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, metals, combustion and diesel exhaust as ALS risk factors, providing important insight into occupational exposures and settings that increase ALS risk.
López-Pingarrón et al. (2023) — ALS, Environmental Exposures & Firefighting
López-Pingarrón et al. (2023) describe how oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and environmental exposures can contribute to motor neuron damage associated with ALS. The study also identifies firefighting among professions observed in ALS patients.
Vanacore et al. (2010) — Fire Fighters & ALS Risk
Vanacore et al. (2010) found Fire Fighters showed a two-fold excess risk of developing ALS, with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 2.0.
Alberta WCB Policy — Work-Relatedness & Causation
WCB policy states that where an occupational exposure has been established, a relative risk of 2.0 or higher makes it more likely than not that the occupational exposure materially contributed to the worker's risk of developing the disease.