February 5th, 2008

Firefighters in Florida are now being tested for asbestos exposure after battling a warehouse fire. Though no one has displayed symptoms of any asbestos-related diseases, the old building was known to contain asbestos.

A group of firefighters in central Florida are being tested for asbestos exposure after responding to a call to extinguish a warehouse fire. The old building was found to contain asbestos, so the tests are precautionary only. No one that was involved in the fire has shown indications of asbestos-related diseases. The equipment that the firefighters used to put out the flames are also being tested, and have been pulled from being in rotation for use at the firehouse.

Though no one has shown symptoms of any illness, screening prior to people becoming sick are important. Asbestos exposure can lead to many serious respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that results from asbestos fibers being breathed into the lungs. Since mesothelioma can be deadly once diagnosed, screening for the disease should come as early as possible. Air quality tests were not conducted on the old building, since all that was left after the fire was a burned out shell.