Reducing Firefighter Illness Through Safer Indoor Air

Why this matters to me. I worked as a paramedic for 10 years, mostly based out of Calgary fire halls, and personally experienced the effects of poor indoor air quality. Although I am no longer an active paramedic, I am one founder of a technology company focused on addressing major contributors to firefighter illness, including exposure to carcinogens. Our technology helps create safer indoor environments by treating off-gassing, mould, viruses, and bacteria.

How contaminants enter the fire hall. During firefighting operations, chemicals and smoke can infiltrate and become embedded in turnout gear, truck cabins, hoses, and other equipment. This equipment is then returned to the fire hall for drying and storage. Hoses may be hung in a hose tower or laid out to dry, while turnout gear—often not washed regularly—is stored in a dedicated room or elsewhere in the hall. As vehicles, equipment, and gear off-gas, contaminants can accumulate indoors. Over time, repeated exposure to the below toxic materials contribute to this illness.

• Fine particulate matter
• Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
• Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides
• Volatile organic compounds and building materials (chemicals)
• Formaldehyde
• Smoke

The scale of the health risk. In June 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans. Between 2005 and 2016, cancer accounted for 86% of occupational fatality claims among Canadian firefighters. Compared with the general public, firefighters face a 9% higher risk of a cancer diagnosis and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer.

Our solution. We have developed an all-natural technology designed to reduce many of the contaminants listed above, including high concentrations of off-gases encountered in other settings. The system generates hydroxyls—molecules that occur naturally outdoors but are typically limited indoors—to help create a safer, healthier indoor environment. Third-party testing has evaluated the technology’s effectiveness in air purification and against viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19 and influenza A. It also helps treat existing mould and mildew and inhibits their formation on damp materials.

Global reach and validation. Our technology is now used in six countries and is supported by extensive scientific research and third-party effectiveness testing. Testing has been conducted by FDA-approved laboratories and independently commissioned by multiple clients, producing strong results across a range of applications. Clients include cruise lines, Churchill Downs, Microsoft, restoration companies, hospitals, industrial corporations, and schools.

I personally know firefighters and paramedics who have suffered from these unnecessary illnesses.