Firefighters have a higher risk of developing various types of cancer, including skin and kidney cancer, and their respective mortality rate is considerably higher compared to the general population, a new study has found.

The findings of this study were published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

As per this study, firefighters have a 72% higher risk of developing skin cancer and a 39% higher risk of kidney cancer than the general population.

In addition, a moderate increase in risk was found for some other types of malignant tumors, including lung, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract cancers.

Firefighters are constantly exposed to carcinogens such as smoke, soot, fire-resistant coatings, combustible synthetic materials—all of which contain toxic compounds. Even clothing and equipment can be a source of contamination, especially if they are treated with toxic chemicals such as PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals.”

Emerging evidence suggests epigenetic changes and alterations in microRNA (miRNA) activity associated with exposure to PFAS. These changes contribute to the development of cancer, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune conditions.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), firefighting has been formally classified as carcinogenic to humans, with links to mesothelioma, bladder cancer, and some other cancers.