Skip to content
Mesothelioma.net
phone iconCall1-800-692-8608 chat icon Chat 24/7 Live Chat
Menu
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • About Mesothelioma
      • How to Survive Mesothelioma
      • 100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
      • Symptoms
      • Diagnosis
      • Prognosis
      • Life Expectancy
    • Types
      • Pleural
      • Peritoneal
      • Epithelioid
      • Sarcomatoid
      • Biphasic
    • Stages
      • Stage 1
      • Stage 2
      • Stage 3
      • Stage 4
    • Additional Information
      • Causes
      • Asbestos and Its Dangers
      • Facts
      • Support
      • Financial Compensation
      • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
  • Treatment
    • Treatment Options
      • Surgery
      • Chemotherapy
      • Radiation Therapy
      • Multimodal Therapy
      • Medications
      • Palliative Treatment
    • Find Top Doctors
      • Doctors
      • Treatment Centers
      • Treatment & Doctors Near You
      • New Treatments
      • Care Providers
      • Clinical Trials
      • Costs
  • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
  • Veteran Assistance
    • Mesothelioma and Veterans
      • VA Claims for Mesothelioma
      • Vietnam Veterans
    • Military Branches and Asbestos
      • Navy Veterans
      • Navy Ships
      • Marine Corps Veterans
      • Army Veterans
      • Air Force Veterans
      • U.S. Coast Guard
  • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • About Us / Contact

Fire at Asbestos-Contaminated Building Poses Mesothelioma Risk to Texas Firefighters

Published on May 14, 2021

Firefighting has always ranked high on the list of risky professions, but few civilians realize that one of the greatest risks that firefighters face comes years after retirement, in the form of malignant mesothelioma or other cancers caused by exposure to toxic substances. That reality came to the forefront last week as more than 100 Austin, Texas firefighters were potentially exposed to asbestos at a three-alarm fire in the city’s warehouse district. 

Three-Alarm Fire Disturbed Asbestos, Put Austin Firefighters at Risk for Mesothelioma

Firefighters are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma than the general public, and this is a direct result of asbestos in buildings that were built decades ago. According to Bob Nicks, president of the Austin Firefighters Association, last week’s fire occurred at a warehouse in an area where most of the buildings were known to be built with the toxic substance, so firefighters were aware of the risk. 

Speaking of firefighters’ risk of mesothelioma, Nicks said, “Our job is to go into dangerous environments. Most of the brick-and-mortar downtown on Sixth Street has asbestos in it, it’s around a lot, and it’s not to be worried about when it’s in that form — encapsulated. When it’s not airborne, it’s not a hazard to us.” But fire changes everything, and the exposure at the warehouse led to an immediate health-related response.

Mesothelioma Precautions Implemented Following Asbestos Exposure

Once the fire department became aware of the significant asbestos exposure that the firefighters had experienced, specific mesothelioma-related measures were taken. Firefighters kept their respirators on and all gear was decontaminated, and every member of the crew was sent for chest x-rays in order to establish a baseline for comparison should any of them develop health problems in the future. 

If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos recently or in the distant past, you could be at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. For information, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Written by Terri Oppenheimer

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer
Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Terri believes that knowledge is power and she is committed to sharing news about the impact of mesothelioma, the latest research and medical breakthroughs, and victims’ stories.

Learn more about and contact Terri
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • Treatment
    • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
    • Veteran Assistance
    • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
    • Mesothelioma News
    • About Us / Contact
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Editorial Guidelines and Standards
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
The information provided by Mesothelioma.net is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Mesothelioma.net

5430 LBJ Freeway Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75240

Serving mesothelioma victims nationwide

1-800-692-8608

  • facebook
  • twitter
© 2022 Mesothelioma.net