One of the firefighters' most important
work tools is their protective gear. It is important to think about and to ensure that the protective gear maintain their protective properties but also realize that after the fire drill, the protective gear pose a big risk to the firefighters.
Therefore, it is extremely important that the protective gear is removed from the body immediately after use, stored separately and washed/dried directly at the station.
PODABs drying cabinet, FC 20, is specially developed for drying protective gear. It offers drying programs customized for heavy-duty garments is equipped with specially developed hangers that dry the heavy-duty gear from the inside and the outside simultaneously. The cabinet reduces wear and tear of the gear and minimizes exposure of toxic elements in the firefighter’s daily life.
Important and interesting press release by the World Health Organization (WHO):
"The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of
the World Health Organization (WHO), has evaluated the carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a
firefighter.
A Working Group of 25 international experts, including 3 Invited Specialists, from 8 countries was convened by
the IARC Monographs programme for a meeting in Lyon.
After thoroughly reviewing the available scientific literature, the Working Group classified occupational exposure
as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), on the basis of sufficient evidence for cancer in humans." (IARC, WHO July 2022)