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medic580 t1_jclaj2o wrote

Reply to comment by theopinionexpress in Firefighter union sues Mass. group over toxic chemicals in protective gear by ak47workaccnt

Yes you are right. Although it is interesting that despite the cancer presumption law in Massachusetts, many firefighters still choose to consume tobacco products. I feel like the culture still has a long way to go and there’s so many things that can be done to limit exposure but are still ignored.

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solariam t1_jclpp6o wrote

Tobacco products are not permitted in many departments; you commit to that when you're hired. Anecdotally, I'd say there's one guy on the shift/in one station who occasionally dabbles (out of the group of 8ish who staff that station/shift for my firefighter, and the guy is an old timer). The cancer risk comes from constantly working around burning building materials/the culture around cleaning gear, which is shifting.

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medic580 t1_jclr6fw wrote

Tobacco products are not permitted but are pretty commonly used, at least in my part of the commonwealth. The culture is shifting for sure, hopefully that momentum continues.

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solariam t1_jclrcbp wrote

Fair enough-- not a firefighter myself but other than a very occasional lip, I don't see/hear of much use here.

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