International studies have shown that in the case of firemen the risk of contracting cancer is significantly higher than in the average for the population as a whole. However, in many countries this is still not recognized as being an occupational illness.
In firefighting operations firemen protect their respiratory tracts and skin from burns with the aid of respirators and protective clothing. However, it has been proved that substances can penetrate the body by means other than via the respiratory tract. As a result of the enormous heat, the skin is up to 400% more receptive and pathogens can penetrate the body through open pores.