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Thanks to a new $4 million grant from the �¼������ϲ� Board of Regents, the statewide firefighting community will have new hope in the battle against occupational-related cancer, a  (1).

Through a recently approved Regents’ Research Grant, the University of �¼������ϲ� will lead a study, in partnership with the �¼������ϲ� Fire Chiefs Association and �¼������ϲ� State University, to target enrolling 1,500 �¼������ϲ� firefighters to test the effectiveness of whether blood or plasma donations lower cancer-causing “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS) levels. Firefighters come in contact with PFAS , including burning household items, potential contamination from personal protective equipment and firefighter foam, which is used to put out burning liquids.

Earlier this year, occupational exposure as a firefighter was  by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, changing from the previous classification as possibly carcinogenic. The reclassification came after many new studies, including several led by the University of �¼������ϲ� Health Sciences. 

“Firefighters face unimaginable risks to save our loved ones, our homes and our communities and cancer is unfortunately one of those risks,” said �¼������ϲ� Chair Lyndel Manson. “This study will help us figure out if there are ways to reduce that risk. The board is tremendously grateful for the partnership and research between the universities and firefighters to find possible solutions.”

The cancer risk is one Goodyear Fire Department Firefighter Gilbert Aguirre knows too well. He became a full-time firefighter in southeastern �¼������ϲ� when he was just 20 years old. When he was 35 years old, Aguirre was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia – news that felt like a punch in the face to this former boxer.

“The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life after receiving that diagnosis … was my wife and I sitting down and talking to my three boys and telling them I had cancer,” said Aguirre, whose boys were 14, 10 and 5 years old at the time. “It’s an occupational cancer. All of the exposures that we encounter in our career are the cause of my cancer.”

Firefighters have a  higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population. “This grant and the research it will fund are beacons of hope for our firefighters,” said Tom Shannon, �¼������ϲ� Fire Chiefs Association President and Scottsdale Fire Department Chief. “Our great hope is that it will improve life outcomes for our firefighters.”

The fire chiefs association also will partner with the Professional Firefighters of �¼������ϲ� to recruit and include fire departments and firefighters from throughout the state in both fire districts and municipalities in this research.

“One of this study’s goals is to decrease PFAS levels in firefighters – which we have found to be higher than in the general population. Results from a previous study in Australia are encouraging as PFAS levels decreased through blood and plasma donations. We’re expecting similar results here and we will also be studying whether the reduced levels can also decrease disease risks associated with PFAS – research which has not been done before and which we hope will ultimately save more lives among our fire first responders,” said Dr. Jeff Burgess, University of �¼������ϲ� Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health professor and principal investigator for the project.

That’s the hope of Aguirre as well for future generations of firefighters; his sons are already expressing interest in becoming firefighters like their dad. “For me, it’s really important that researchers like Dr. Burgess find ways to keep my sons and all future firefighters safe.” Dr. Burgess is collaborating on the study with co-principal investigators Dr. Melissa Furlong, U�¼������ϲ� Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health assistant professor, and Dr. Floris Wardenaar, ASU College of Health Solutions assistant professor.

Regents’ Research Grants were established to address and deliver solutions to critical issues facing the state of �¼������ϲ� and its citizens. The grants are funded by Technology and Research Initiative Funds, established through Prop. 301 and utilizing sales tax revenues. TRIF funds vital research in public health, water, national security systems, workforce development and other key areas at �¼������ϲ�’s public universities.

The fiscal year 2023 Regents’ Research Grants also fund research partnerships between the universities and the �¼������ϲ� Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the �¼������ϲ� Department of Water Resources.

“These grants are designed to accomplish research to benefit the people of �¼������ϲ�, to give them a return on investment from their hard-earned tax dollars. This round of grants addresses critical issues that are affecting �¼������ϲ�ns today from preserving our state’s forests to cooling desert cities in an era of rising temperatures. I appreciate the strong collaboration between our state agencies and fire partners and look forward to research results that improve quality of life for �¼������ϲ�ns,” said Regent Fred DuVal.

Following are the additional fiscal year 2023 Regents’ Research Grants:

Enhancing �¼������ϲ�’s groundwater supply: �¼������ϲ� is in its 27th year of a long-term drought, making groundwater a precious commodity. Researchers from U�¼������ϲ�, ASU and NAU in partnership with the �¼������ϲ� Department of Water Resources and localities will examine water runoff, suitable locations to recharge this water into groundwater, and where runoff may be directed in the future. The board approved $3.7 million over three years.

Smart tree watering to make urban environments more livable: As �¼������ϲ�’s climate changes, more urban areas are planning to provide heat relief by increasing tree canopy. In partnership with the �¼������ϲ� Department of Forestry and Fire Management, researchers from U�¼������ϲ� and ASU will compare standard tree watering practices with new techniques that are expected to result in water savings. The board approved $750,000 over two years.

Mitigating wildfire risk: Urban areas are increasingly at risk as wildfires threaten �¼������ϲ�, but land managers often lack scalable data to effectively plan in managing fires and the fuels that feed them. Researchers from NAU and U�¼������ϲ� will work with the U.S. Geological Survey to apply a new 3D mapping and modeling framework for fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation and ecosystem restoration. The board approved $900,000 over three years.

Insect monitoring to save forests from infestations: During the summer of 2021 alone, 528,108 acres of �¼������ϲ� forest died from bark-beetles - a 551 percent increase in mortality from the beetles compared to the previous year. Researchers at NAU working with �¼������ϲ� Department of Forestry and Fire Management are developing a mobile woodboring insect monitoring system for forest managers and the public. The board approved $800,000 over three years.

Fighting forest-devastating bark beetles: Trees in �¼������ϲ� are increasingly under attack by bark beetles that can destroy forests, especially in drought-stricken areas. Researchers from NAU working with �¼������ϲ� Department of Forestry and Fire Management will develop a hand-held acoustic holography system that measures sound waves to locate bark beetles and investigate the overall health of trees. The board approved $600,000 over three years.

First of its kind system to measure tree-water stress: Researchers from NAU in partnership with the �¼������ϲ� Department of Forestry and Fire Management are developing a system to monitor tree water stress across �¼������ϲ�, providing forest managers an early warning system to respond to forest stress. The board approved $1.2 million over three years.

Interview/photo opportunities:

Members of the media may contact Sarah Harper or Julie Newberg to schedule interviews with regents/firefighters. Photos may be accessed .

1. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, January 8). Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/newsroom/feature/firefighter-cancer-awareness.html