Provides for insurance coverage of comprehensive annual medical examinations for firefighters

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Lea Webb says this is needed

This bill would require that insurance policies for firefighters include a number of screenings and early detection tests due to their increased risk for cancer and cancer-related disease. It is known that firefight- ers face unique occupational health risks in the line of duty. Years of research have shown that the health risks for firefighters are multifac- torial and include exposures from several aspects of their work environ- ment. Firefighters are not only at higher risk for cancers but also cardiac-related death and coronary artery disease. Chronic exposures to heat, smoke, and toxic flame retardants through inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption put firefighters at risk for many cancers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) performed a multi-year study of nearly 30,000 firefighters to better understand the potential link between firefighting and cancer. Exposure to aerosolized chemicals like benzene, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), formaldehyde, diesel exhaust, and new building materials with undefined chemicals creates special risks. The firefighters studied showed higher rates of certain types of cancer than the general U.S. population. In a study conducted by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, in coordination with 100 firefighter participants from 2 fire- houses, the research found that even in fires with low smoke intensity, firefighters were just as exposed to appreciable levels of toxic materi- als. Exposure included carbon monoxide, benzene, aldehydes, and hydrogen cyanide Exposure to these chemicals and/or any number of carcinogenic substances puts firefighters at elevated risk for diseases less common among other professions. This legislation would mandate insurance compa- nies to pay for a wide variety of screenings and tests at these younger ages for firefighters due to their increased risks. This legislation will save the lives of firefighters throughout New York State.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.