(As is our practice for electeds and candidates, bumped. – promoted by Brian Leubitz)
James and Dolores Golden joined Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) today to announce that AB 706, a bill prohibiting the use of brominated and chlorinated fire retardants in furniture, would be named in honor of their daughter, Crystal Golden-Jefferson, a firefighter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department who died from workplace-related non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Leno explained how the bill, which would modify state furniture standards to deliver equivalent fire safety without the use of toxic brominated and chlorinated chemicals, directly impacts the hundreds of firefighters across the state who are suffering from workplace related cancers. “When brominated fire retardants in furniture burn, they convert to some of the most carcinogenic substances known to science, including dioxins. Firefighters are exposed through soot in contact with the skin and through smoke inhalation,” he said. “Today, as we honor Crystal Golden-Jefferson, a dedicated paramedic firefighter and single mother whose life was cut short from workplace-related non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer caused by dioxin exposures, we also honor the lives of all firefighters who risk their lives for us.”
In November 2006 the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine published a meta-analysis of 32 cancer studies and determined that firefighters have an elevated risk of four types of cancers, including multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Also, eight other cancers were found to have a likely association with fighting fires. The study states that the toxic combustion byproducts found in soot and smoke are the likely source of elevated cancer risk. Other studies show that brominated fire retardants quickly convert to dioxin and furans when burned.
“Crystal always put the needs of others before her own in all aspects of her life,” said Dolores Golden, Crystal Golden-Jefferson’s mother. “From an early age, her dream was to be a fire fighter and help save lives. She lived her dream for nineteen years as a firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Crystal loved being a mom and she cherished her beautiful daughter. We always worried that the dangers of her job might take her from us, but we never thought it would be cancer. Every firefighter should know that soot and smoke from burning couches and chairs pose a great hazard to their health. Firefighters must do everything they can to keep the soot off their skin and use their respirator.”
In the last eight to ten years, the San Francisco Fire Department has seen more than 250 cancers among its active duty and retired firefighters, and 40 have died.
“As firefighters, the cancer risks posed by toxic exposures are every bit as real to us as the risks we face fighting fires,” said Sean Caywood, a Captain with the Stockton Firefighters Local 456. “This legislation protects fire safety standards as it reduces the exposure of firefighters … and those we protect … to dangerous, cancer-causing chemicals.”
AB 706 is currently pending passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.