Firefighters unions appeal to EU to recognize firefighting as a carcinogenic profession

Firefighter unions in Cyprus and other European nations have submitted a formal appeal to the European Commission and the European Parliament. The initiative demands that firefighting be officially recognized as an occupational disease due to exposure to hazardous chemicals. This request is based on a July 2022 assessment by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which classified firefighting as a Group 1 carcinogen. The IARC found sufficient evidence linking the profession to mesothelioma and bladder cancer, with limited evidence for colon and prostate cancers. The unions cite the United States model, where firefighters receive cancer insurance coverage, 15 years of post-retirement protection, and a $500,000 death benefit for those who die in the line of duty. European unions are participating in an International Day of Action to push for legislative reform. They argue that the current EU legislation does not adequately protect workers from these documented health risks. The goal is to standardize protection and support across member states.