KV Firefighters will be taking 20 minutes to ride stationary bikes and sweat out the toxins absorbed by their bodies at a fire scene.
The department is the first in New Brunswick to add a chemical detoxification unit which looks like a sauna but the idea is that using it will protect the health of firefighters.
KV Fire has the first chemical detoxification unit in NB. It’s a 6×8 wooden structure. pic.twitter.com/CNmZc2e0Qp
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) May 30, 2017
Captain Jim Leblanc did some research on this and he realized there is a huge spike in cancer rates for firefighters and he wanted to find out why they were more at risk.
He says the studies are showing its the chemicals they are exposed to in fires so he also wanted to learn how they can prevent it and he discovered the detoxification units.
It contains infrared heaters and four stationary bikes. pic.twitter.com/U8N8pVAmFc
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) May 30, 2017
He adds that some other fire departments in Canada have tried them.
Leblanc says it looks like these chemical detoxification units are becoming the trend to prevent cancer in firefighters.
Dr. Anil Adisesh is the J.D. Irving Limited research chair in occupational medicine at Dalhousie Medicine in Saint John.
He’s currently waiting for word on funding for a six-month study on the effects of the detox unit by measuring the blood, sweat and urine from those taking part.
He tells us the unit’s manufacturer claims the unit will help in eliminating certain toxic substances that can be carcinogenic.
Dr. Adisesh says the research they can do can help verify the effectiveness of the unit in the elimination of those substances.
KV Fire Chief Bill Ireland says this unit can benefit all firefighters so they have extended the offer to any fire service in the province who wants to check it out, they will make it available to them.
KV Firefighters demonstrate the new chemical detoxification unit. It’s meant to remove toxins they are exposed to during fires. pic.twitter.com/sKsDAXrAeM
— CHSJ News (@chsjnews) May 30, 2017