Immune and inflammatory responses of Australian firefighters after repeated exposures to the heat

Journal article


Walker, Anthony, Keene, Toby, Argus, Christos, Driller, Matthew, Guy, Joshua H. and Rattay, Ben. (2015). Immune and inflammatory responses of Australian firefighters after repeated exposures to the heat. Ergonomics. 58(12), pp. 2032 - 2039. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1051596
AuthorsWalker, Anthony, Keene, Toby, Argus, Christos, Driller, Matthew, Guy, Joshua H. and Rattay, Ben
Abstract

When firefighters work in hot conditions, altered immune and inflammatory responses may increase the risk of a cardiac event. The present study aimed to establish the time course of such responses. Forty-two urban firefighters completed a repeat work protocol in a heat chamber (100 ± 5°C). Changes to leukocytes, platelets, TNFα, IL-6, IL-10, LPS and CRP were evaluated immediately post-work and also after 1 and 24 h of rest. Increases in core temperatures were associated with significant increases in leukocytes, platelets and TNFα directly following work. Further, platelets continued to increase at 1 h (+31.2 ± 31.3 × 109 l, p < 0.01) and remained elevated at 24 h (+15.9 ± 19.6 × 109 l, p < 0.01). Sustained increases in leukocytes and platelets may increase the risk of cardiac events in firefighters when performing repeat work tasks in the heat. This is particularly relevant during multi-day deployments following natural disasters.

Keywordsoccupational stress; inflammation; immune response; safety; cardiac risk
Year2015
JournalErgonomics
Journal citation58 (12), pp. 2032 - 2039
PublisherTaylor and Francis Ltd
ISSN0014-0139
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1051596
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84931026732
Page range2032 - 2039
Research GroupSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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