Firefighters Risks Ignored For Over a Decade:
A recent investigation by NBC 7 in San Diego revealed that thousands of San Diego firefighters were put at risk for lung cancer and mesothelioma, a fatal lung disease, in over 15 years of training. Firefighters were exposed to asbestos and lead in the floors, walls, and ceilings of buildings at the old Naval Training Center (NTC) used to train these first responders.Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fire resistant mineral found in rock and soil that was frequently used in building materials until the 1980's. Once considered an almost magical mineral for its heat-resistant properties, asbestos is now a notorious public health menace. Asbestos is a carcinogen and is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the pleural lining of the lungs and abdomen. When asbestos in a building is disturbed, it enters the air where it can be inhaled, putting people exposed at risk for the deadly lung disease. Firefighters face an increased risk of asbestos exposure in old buildings because fire and heavy equipment are likely to disturb the deadly asbestos fibers.The NBC 7 report revealed that firefighter trainees and instructors were continually exposed to asbestos at the San Diego Fire Academy near the airport. Internal fire department documents confirmed that the department delayed the implementation of a comprehensive asbestos abatement plan at the training facilities for more than 15 years.A memo from Kurtis Bennett, the San Diego Fire Department’s former Cancer Awareness and Prevention Program (CAPP) manager, explained that trainees constantly damaged asbestos tiles, asbestos-based glue, and other asbestos containing materials as they dragged heavy tools and crawled through the old buildings used for training. He wrote, “Every SDFD firefighter for the previous two decades has spent literally hundreds of hours training in the buildings at NTC.” Bennett’s memo indicated the department has been aware of the asbestos exposure risk at the training academy since at least 2002. The risk of contracting mesothelioma or lung cancer from asbestos exposure increases with the length of exposure.In 2015, inspectors confirmed damage to asbestos tiles and building materials in the facility. Last summer, the fire department finally closed the training facility under pressure from the local firefighter’s union and the CAPP manager. While the city has now allocated more than $200,000 to clean up asbestos in the buildings, there is no word on when the training facility might reopen.Many people exposed to asbestos will not be diagnosed with mesothelioma for a decade or more. If you’re concerned about asbestos exposure or have any questions, contact us for a FREE consultation at 888-910-MESO (6376). Chris Madeksho, the managing attorney of our Los Angeles office, leads an experienced team of asbestos attorneys, and our law firm has over 45 years’ experience fighting for and protecting working people with injuries related to asbestos, mesothelioma, toxic exposures and cancer.
