University of Lancashire — Grenfell Firefighter Health Impacts

Research led by the University of Lancashire has revealed significant long-term health consequences among firefighters who responded to the Grenfell Tower fire, providing critical evidence of the occupational risks associated with exposure to toxic fire effluents.

Conducted in partnership with the Fire Brigades Union and published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the study analysed health data from hundreds of firefighters who attended the disaster.

Findings show that more than a quarter of surveyed responders are now living with long-term health disorders linked to smoke exposure. Reported conditions include respiratory and digestive diseases, neurological disorders and multiple cancer diagnoses, with many firefighters experiencing more than one illness. Researchers also found that those exposed to the most intense smoke conditions reported significantly higher rates of disease in the years following the fire.

The study highlighted that many firefighters were unable to wear respiratory protection consistently due to the severity and urgency of the incident, increasing their exposure to hazardous gases and particulates. Immediate symptoms reported on the night included choking, breathing difficulties and vomiting, indicating extreme exposure levels.

Researchers and the Fire Brigades Union have called for long-term health monitoring for responders, drawing parallels with screening programmes established after the 9/11 attacks, which enabled early diagnosis and treatment of exposure-related illnesses.

Full details available here