U.S. — The U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday authorized firefighters to use N95 respirators on the fire line. The agency also announced a new decontamination program to reduce skin exposure to toxins in soot and ash.

The Forest Service previously did not allow firefighters to use N95 respirators for decades. Firefighters will now be paid for time spent washing clothes, cleaning vehicles, and showering after working on a fire. The agency also stated it will require fire managers and firefighters who want to use respirators to participate in a training program.

U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Evan Burks said in a podcast interview that the new policies are an interim step toward a protection program that complies with Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements. "This is not a requirement, but we are allowing it and basically encouraging it," Burks said. "As we work toward a full respiratory protection program, we're not going to wait any longer." He added, "We think N95s can be used in a practical way that can provide some level of protection and if people are getting overheated, they can take it off."

George Broyles, a U.S. Forest Service firefighter, said the authorization is long overdue. "It's long, long overdue," Broyles said. "There's no doubt that our men and women out there are at higher risk of cancer and heart disease." A 2019 study co-authored by Broyles estimated that career wildland firefighters were 8% to 43% more likely to die of lung cancer and 16% to 30% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, depending on career length and days of exposure.

Union representative Steve Gutierrez said that access to N95s, decontamination protocols, and training can help reduce exposure to harmful smoke and contaminants. "Now we need to continue building on this progress with long-term respiratory protection, cancer screening, medical monitoring to catch illnesses and disease early, as well as facility improvements like washing machines to decontaminate clothing before they bring carcinogens back to their families," Gutierrez said. "I think it will be a culture-changing process."

When wildfire smoke is inhaled, volatile gases and tiny particles can pass through the lining of the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Studies suggest wildland firefighters have a higher risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, N95 respirators do not protect against carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other toxic gases. According to a U.S. Forest Service fact sheet, N95 respirators are not meant to be worn in steep terrain, fast-changing fire conditions, or when a firefighter might make direct contact with flames.