New Research Opportunity for OCFA Male Reproductive Outcomes
Submitted by Jeff Hughes, OC Firefighters Local 3631 Wellness Agent
Despite the increase of science and research of Firefighter health and wellness, Firefighters have a higher incidence of infertility and having a child with developmental disabilities. Some important attributes of wellbeing in firefighters have traditionally been overlooked and one area of needed investigation is that of reproductive consequences associated with exposures commonly experienced by men in the fire service. The OCFA has been included in a pilot project under the Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study that will study male live fire trainers to search for epigenetic changes following live fire training exercises that could lead to fertility issues or possible changes that can be passed down to an unborn child.
The goal of this research is to use the data generated by fire service leadership to inform and create appropriate policies regarding male fertility and reproductive health in general. The information that is collected in this project can be used as foundational research that can eventually be applied to reverse or mitigate the harmful effects on the reproductive health of exposures common to men in the fire service. These impacts will help firefighters be more aware of risks to their reproductive health and, as a result, will be able to put in place interventions to reduce the risks.