Project:

4FirHealth

Start date: 01-03-2021

End Date: 28-02-2025
Project reference number: PCIF/SSO/0090/2019

Firefighting occupational exposure and early effects on the health of operational forces

Principal Investigator: Marta Oliveira
Co Principal Investigator: Francisca Rodrigues

Proposing Institution: REQUIMTE – Rede de Química e Tecnologia

Funding: The project 4FirHealth (PCIF/SSO/0090/2019;http://doi.org/10.54499/PCIF/SSO/0090/2019) was funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, through national funds.

4FirHealth was recommended for funding in the 3rd edition of Scientific Research and Technological Development Projects within the scope of Preventing and Combating Forest Fires promoted by the Funding Agency.

The project received a favorable report from the Ethics Committee of the University of Porto (Report No. 105/CEUP/2020).

Abstract:

Nowadays, forest fires are an important public health issue due to the emission of a countless number of hazardous pollutants including particulate matter (PM), principally the finest fraction (PM<2.5 µm) that penetrate more deeply into the respiratory tract, several volatile organic compounds e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals. PM, PAHs, and metals are pollutants of major concern due to their high environmental persistence, toxicity, and carcinogenicity, thus being responsible for the initiation of cardio-respiratory inflammatory processes. Fires emissions may affect short- and long-term health and quality of life of exposed populations, particularly of the occupationally exposed firefighting operational forces. Notwithstanding the importance of forest fires emissions, their health risks on exposed populations have been poorly evaluated by the scientific community. In this sense, members of the proponent team started on 2015 the first steps concerning occupational exposure levels and the potential health risks to Portuguese firefighters. However, a knowledge gap still exists on how to minimize the impact of forest fires on the health of exposed firefighters. Scientific evidence demonstrates that in vitro bioaccessibility and/or bioavailability assays may represent an appropriate tool to perform a more realistic assessment of human health risks due to the exposure to environmental pollutants. But, can in vitro bioaccessibility assays be an adequate tool to determine firefighters’ early cytotoxic health risks?

The 4FirHealth project aims to answer the following questions:

1) What is the impact of fire emissions on firefighters’ health?

2) What can you do to promote the safety and health of firefighters?

To achieve this, the project’s main objectives are:

i) evaluate the occupational exposure of firefighters to health-relevant pollutants released during fires;
ii) determine early risks to your health after active participation in firefighting activities;
iii) propose occupational exposure limits for firefighting forces;
iv) present preventive measures and a list of recommendations and good practices that promote the health and safety of firefighters.

The project includes the participation of firefighters from different corporations in the Porto metropolitan area in conjunction with agents from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC). 4FirHealth also counts on the collaboration of Australian researchers – Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Queensland, as consultants.

4FirHealth promotes policies and prevention strategies for firefighting occupationally exposed groups which can be extended to local populations, thus meeting the societal need of protecting people health from forest fires emissions (Goals 3, 8, and 11 of Agenda 2030). Key outputs will be widely disseminated to all Portuguese and Australian firefighters, stakeholders, and to the civil society.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Best oral communication award: Teixeira, J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Assessing firefighter occupational exposure via ingestion: The potential role of saliva as a biological sample, PhD Day IUCS 2024, VI Edition Doctoral programs in Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology. Empowering Changes: Strategies to achieve the goals of the 2030 agenda, 16th October 2024, Gandra, Portugal.

Best poster communication: J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Riscos respiratórios e toxicidade in vitro resultantes da atividade de combate a incêndios florestais, III Seminário Medicina do Trabalho, 28th September 2024, Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Best poster communication: J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Contribuição do combate a fogos florestais no dano pulmonar em bombeiros: Evidência de estudos toxicológicos in vitro, IV Jornadas Ibéricas de Toxicologia Ubipharma/CICS-UBI, 26-27th September 2024, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.

Best student oral communication: P. Almeida, V.C. Fernandes, C. Delerue-Matos, P. Costa, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Development of a chewing gum with Actinidia arguta extract as an innovative mitigation strategy for firefighters occupational exposure, International Conference on Sustainable Foods (ICSF) – Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, 24-25th July 2024, School of Technology and Management of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.

Best poster communication: P. Almeida, F. Rodrigues, P. Costo, M. Oliveira, Organoleptic and textural characterization of a chewing gum to absorb pollutants released during fire events, XVIII Congresso Científico da AEFFUP, 10th and 11st November 2023, National Association of Pharmacies – North Delegation, Porto, Portugal.

Best oral communication: J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Coimbra, A. Santos-Silva, M. Oliveira, Impacto da atividade de combate aos incêndios nas concentrações urinárias de biomarcadores da função renal, II Seminário Medicina no Trabalho 2023, Auditório CIM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 23rd September 2023, Porto, Portugal.

Best book chapter award (honorable mention): B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, paper 23 – Cardiorespiratory symptoms and diseases among firefighters, International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene, 2023.

Best oral communication award: J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Coimbra, A. Santos-Silva, M. Oliveira, Early biomarkers of kidney injury in firefighters exposed to a controlled structure fire, Conference DCE23-Doctoral Congress in Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 15-16th June 2023, Porto, Portugal.

Best poster communication award: M.J. Bessa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, In vitro toxicity of saliva samples collected from firefighters exposed to fire-related events in human oral and intestinal cell models, II International Congress of UNIPRO Research Unit, 1st and 2nd June 2023, Penafiel, Portugal.

Best oral communication award: J. Teixeira, S. Morais, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, A exposição ocupacional do bombeiro e consequentes riscos para a saúde, Seminário Medicina do Trabalho 2022 – Doenças profissionais, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, 24th September 2022, Porto, Portugal.

Recognition of outstanding contribution as distinguished speaker, M. Oliveira, Biomonitoring of Portuguese firefighters: Levels of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potential health risks, The International Conference on Future of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 21-22 June 2021.

Advanced training

Ana Bela Coelho Barros, Forest Fire emissions: Exposure data and potential health risks for firefighters and the general population, PhD in Sustainable Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 7th November 2024 (Grant: Fundação para a Ciêcnia e a Tecnologia (FCT) (Portugal) – SFRH/BD/07394/2020). https://hdl.handle.net/10216/162906

Ana Sofia Rosa Amorim, Firefighters’ occupational exposure and health: Contribution from biomonitoring assays, Master of Science in Biochemistry in Health, High School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 26th November 2024. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/29549

Ana Margarida Silva Paiva, Ensaios de biomonitorização para avaliar o impacto na saúde das emissões de fogos florestais, Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 27th June 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/20676

Ana Carolina Almeida Soares, Exposure Levels of Portuguese Firefighters to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Fire Stations, Master of Science in Bioresources, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal, 15th November 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/19223

Sandra Ramos Lavandeira, Caracterização da Exposição de Bombeiros a Hidrocarbonetos Aromáticos Policíclicos Recorrendo à Monitorização Individual, Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 4th November 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/22211

Tobias El Chalid, Characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure in Portugal by biomonitoring, ERASMUS Master of Science in Chemical Engineering – Quality, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), Universiteit Hasselt (UHasselt), Belgium; School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal, 18th June 2021.

Denis Borysyak, Avaliação da exposição ocupacional de bombeiros, Professional aptitude test for the conclusion of Course with own plan of Chemical-Biological Analysis, Colégio de Gaia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, July 2024.

Diana Da Costa Fernandes, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their metabolites: characterization in air and in biological samples in firefighting scenarios, ERASMUS Final stage University Diploma of Technology of Chemistry, IUT D’ORSAY, Université Paris-Saclay, France, June 2024.

Mélanie Torres Miranda, Final stage “Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their metabolites: characterization in air and biological samples in firefighting scenarios”, Erasmus student from the University of Technology of Chemistry, IUT D’ORSAY, Université Paris-Saclay, France, June 2023.

Pedro Miguel Soares de Almeida, Cancro oral em bombeiros: Recolha da evidência existente e tecnologias viáveis para aplicar em estratégias de mitigação, Seminar of the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, May 2023.

Gwénola Vigouroux, Evaluation of firefighters’ occupational exposure to organic air pollutants, Erasmus student from the University Technology of Chemistry, IUT D’ORSAY, Université Paris-Saclay, France, 31st August 2022.

Érica Filipa Ferreira Fonseca, Occupational Exposure of Firefighters: preliminary assays to assess the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in saliva, Final project internship of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4th July 2022.

Joana Filipa Barbosa Teixeira, Firefighting occupational exposure and early effects on the health of operational forces, specialization course on training with research in sustainable chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, New Lisbon University (November 2021 – October 2022).

Papers

Articles in indexed peer reviewed international journals

J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during structure fires: Concentrations outside and inside self-contained breathing apparatus and in vitro respiratory toxicity. Open access Environmental Pollution (2025) 373, 126112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126112

M. Paiva, B. Barros, R. Azevedo, M. Oliveira, S. Alves, F. Esteves, A. Fernandes, J. Vaz, M.J. Alves, K. Slezakova, M.C. Pereira, J.P: Teixeira, S. Costa, A. Almeida, S. Morais, Biomonitoring of firefighters’ exposure to priority pollutant metal(loid)s during wildland fire combat missions: Impact on urinary levels and health risk. Open access Science of Total Environment (2024) 953, 176105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176105

Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Environmental contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and contribution from biomonitoring studies to the surveillance of global health. Open access Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2024) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34727-3

Teixeira, G. Sousa, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Characterization of Wildland Firefighters’ Exposure to Coarse, Fine, and Ultrafine Particles; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; and Metal(loid)s, and Estimation of Associated Health Risks. Open access Toxics (2024) 12, 422. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12060422

Paiva, B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Alves, F. Esteves, A. Fernandes, J. Vaz, K. Slezakova, J.P. Teixeira, S. Costa, S. Morais, Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and short-time health effects in wildland firefighters during real-life fire events. Open access Science of the Total Environment (2024) 926, 171801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171801

Sousa, J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Freitas, M. Oliveira, Gravimetric, morphological, and chemical characterization of fine and ultrafine particulate matter inside fire stations. Open access Building and Environment, (2024) 111403 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111403

Barros, A.M. Paiva, M. Oliveira, S. Alves, F. Esteves, A. Fernandes, J. Vaz, K. Slezakova, S. Costa, J.P. Teixeira, S. Morais, Baseline data and associations between urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, blood pressure, hemogram, and lifestyle among wildland firefighters. Open access Frontiers in Public Health (2024), 12, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1338435

Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Firefighters’ personal exposure to gaseous PAHs during controlled forest fires: A case study with estimation of respiratory health risks and in vitro toxicity. Open access Science of the Total Environment (2024) 908, 168364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168364

Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Continent-based systematic review of the short-term health impacts of wildfire emissions. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B (2023) 6(7) 387-415. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2023.2236548

Teixeira, G. Sousa, S. Morais, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Assessment of coarse, fine, and ultrafine particulate matter at different microenvironments of fire stations. Open access Chemosphere (2023) 335, 139005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139005

J. Bessa, B. Sarmento, M. Oliveira, F. Rodrigues, In vitro data for fire pollutants: Contribution of in vitro studies using human cell models towards firefighters’ occupational exposure. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 26(4) (2023), 238-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2023.2187909

Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Biomonitoring of firefighting forces: a review on biomarkers of exposure to health-relevant pollutants released from fires. Open access Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 26(3) (2023), 127-171. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2023.2172119

Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Unveiling the urinary mutagenicity by Ames test for occupational risk assessment: a systematic review. Open access Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 19(20), (2022), 13074; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013074

Sousa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, S. Morais, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Exposure to PAHs during Firefighting Activities: A Review on Skin Levels, In Vitro/In Vivo Bioavailability, and Health Risks. Open access Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 19(19), (2022), 12677; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912677

Pena, S.C. Duarte, A.M.P.T. Pereira, L.J.G. Silva, C.S.M. Laranjeiro, M. Oliveira, C. Lino, S. Morais, Human biomonitoring of selected hazardous compounds in Portugal: Part I ‒ lessons learned on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, metalloids, and pesticides. Open access Molecules, 27(1) (2022) 242. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010242

Pena, S.C. Duarte, A.M.P.T. Pereira, L.J.G. Silva, C.S.M. Laranjeiro, M. Oliveira, C. Lino, S. Morais, Human biomonitoring of selected hazardous compounds in Portugal: Part II ‒ lessons learned on mycotoxins. Open access Molecules, 27(1) (2022) 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010130

Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Firefighters’ occupational exposure: contribution from biomarkers of effect to assess health risks. Open access Environment International, 156 (2021) 106704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106704

Articles in inter/national journals of Portuguese language

M. Oliveira, O trabalho do bombeiro e o risco de desenvolvimento de cancro, BioHazMag -Biological Hazmat Magazine, 2025, in press. https://www.biohazmag.pt/categoria/artigos/

M. Oliveira, Riscos associados à atividade do bombeiro, BioHazMag -Biological Hazmat Magazine, Nº 3, Maio 2024, pp. 34-37. https://www.biohazmag.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/BHM_N3_2024.pdf

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Exposição ocupacional do bombeiro a matéria particulada em vários contextos do seu quotidiano, Flammae – Revista científica do Corpo de Bombeiros Militar de Pernambuco, II Special Edition – 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios Urbanos e as 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil (8JORNINC-3JORPROCIV) 2023, 09 N.27, 9-32. ISSN 2359-4829. https://www.revistaflammae.com/_files/ugd/08765e_be63821515a84af59681cb47736e448e.pdf

J. Lavandeira, M. Oliveira, M. J. Alves, S. Morais, Águas termais: possíveis benefícios para promover a saúde dos bombeiros, Flammae – Revista científica do Corpo de Bombeiros Militar de Pernambuco, II Special Edition – 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios Urbanos e as 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil (8JORNINC-3JORPROCIV) 2023, 09 N.27, 93-111. ISSN 2359-4829. https://www.revistaflammae.com/_files/ugd/08765e_00985cfab90d4ab9a5be815860aca39a.pdf

Book

Book entitled “An Essential Guide to Occupational Exposure”, F. Rodrigues, S. Morais, M. Oliveira (Eds.), Series Safety and Risk in Society, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., New York, USA, June 2022. ISBN: 978-1-68507-819-5. Published chapters: 6; 19 authors; ~185 pages, 2022. https://doi.org/10.52305/VGMC6738; https://novapublishers.com/shop/an-essential-guide-to-occupational-exposure/

Book chapters

G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, A review on skin metal concentrations in occupational environments, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VII. Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control, Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland, accepted. https://www.sposho.pt/sho-2025-pt/

J. Teixeira, M. Oliveira, F. Rodrigues, Occupational Hazards: Melanoma and Skin Cancer Among Firefighters, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VII. Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control, Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland, accepted. https://www.sposho.pt/sho-2025-pt/

S. Lavandeira, M. Oliveira, M.J. Alves, S. Morais, Blood Biomarkers in Firefighters: Assessing Fire Exposure and Health Impacts, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VII. Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control, Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland, accepted. https://www.sposho.pt/sho-2025-pt/

M. Lamas, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, V. Fernandes, Occupational exposure to microplastics – A review, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VII. Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control, Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland, accepted. https://www.sposho.pt/sho-2025-pt/

B. Barros, A.M. Paiva, M. Oliveira, S. Alves, F. Esteves, A. Fernandes, J. Vaz, M.J. Alves, K. Slezakova, M.C. Pereira, J.P. Teixeira, S. Costa, S. Morais, Urinary creatinine in wildland firefighters: A potential biomarker?, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VII. Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control, Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland, accepted. https://www.sposho.pt/sho-2025-pt/

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Characterization of firefighters’ respiratory health risks during training structure fires: an exploratory approach, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VI. Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control (Vol 230), Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland, March 2025, pp. 205-215. ISBN: 978-3-031-82166-0. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82166-0_18

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Use of urinary creatinine to assess occupational exposure as a firefighter: a preliminary study, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health V. Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control (Vol 492), Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland, October 2023, pp. 295-304. ISBN: 978-3-031-38277-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_24

G. Sousa, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Characterization of metal content in the saliva of firefighters: a preliminary study, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health V. Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control (Vol 492), Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland October 2023, pp. 305-315. ISBN: 978-3-031-38277-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_25

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Cardiorespiratory symptoms and disease among firefighters, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health V Studies in Systems, Decision, and Control (Vol 492) Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham, Switzerland October 2023, pp. 317-339. ISBN: 978-3-031-38277-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_26

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, F. Rodrigues, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Emissions from vehicle fires: a literature review of levels of exposure during firefighting activities, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health IV (Vol 449) Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland, September 2022, p. 489-500. ISBN: 978-3-031-12546-1; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12547-8_39

G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Potential of saliva for biomonitoring of occupational exposure: collection of evidence from the literature, In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health IV (Vol. 449), Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland, September 2022, p. 587-598. ISBN: 978-3-031-12546-1; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12547-8_47

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Biomarkers of effect and biomarkers of exposure among firefighters: Is there any correlation? A review. In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health IV, Studies in Systems, Decision and Control (Vol 449), Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland, September 2022, p. 425-440. ISBN: 978-3-031-12546-1; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12547-8_35

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais. Insight into the potential of urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress for firefighters’ health surveillance. In: PM Arezes, et al. (Eds.) Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health III, Studies in Systems, Decision and Control (Vol 406), Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2022, p. 321-335. ISSN: 21984182; ISBN: 978-3-030-89616-4 and 978-3-030-89617 (e-book). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89617-1

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Chapter six – Urinary biohazard markers in firefighters. In Gregory S. Makowsk (Ed.) Advances in Clinical Chemistry, 2021, 105, 243-319. ISSN: 0065-2423. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acc.2021.02.004

G. Sousa, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Chapter 1 – An introduction to occupational exposure. In F. Rodrigues, S. Morais, M. Oliveira (Eds.) In An Essential Guide to Occupational Exposure, F. Rodrigues, S. Morais, M. Oliveira (Eds.), Series Safety and Risk in Society, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., New York, USA, June 2022, p. 1-22. ISBN: 978-1-68507-819-5. https://doi.org/10.52305/VGMC6738

B. Barros, F. Rodrigues, B. Sarmento, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Chapter 4 – Firefighters´ dermal exposure to fire emissions: levels of exposure and potential health risks. In An Essential Guide to Occupational Exposure, F. Rodrigues, S. Morais, M. Oliveira (Eds.), Series Safety and Risk in Society, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., New York, USA, June 2022, p.75-125. ISBN: 978-1-68507-819-5. https://doi.org/10.52305/VGMC6738

Other Dissemination actions

Indexed Abstracts

M. Oliveira, S. Morais, C. Delerue-Matos, SS07-006 Occupational exposure as a firefighter – contribution from biomonitoring assays, Occupational Medicine 2024, 74(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqae023.0082

S. Lavandeira, M. Oliveira, M.J. Alves, S. Morais, The impact of occupational exposure on workers’ respiratory microbiota, Proceedings 2024, 102, 34. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024102034

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the environment and human health: Evidence retrieved from biomonitoring studies, Proceedings 2024, 102, 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024102018

J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos-Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Urinary monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals in firefighters with active participation in controlled structure fires, Toxicology Letters, 384S1, (2023) P23-05, S263. ISSN: 0378-4274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4274(23)00881-0

M.J. Bessa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, M. Oliveira, F. Rodrigues, A step forward the in vitro toxicity assessment of firefighters’ exposure to controlled fires in human cell culture models, Toxicology Letters, 384S1, (2023) P16-13, S185-S186. ISSN: 0378-4274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4274(23)00704-X

M.J. Bessa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, In vitro toxicity assessment of firefighters´ breathable air collected on polyurethane foams in human lung epithelial cells, Scientific Letters, 1, Sup (1) P35 (2023) 77, ISSN: 2795-5117. https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2023.111

M.J. Bessa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, In vitro toxicity of saliva samples collected from firefighters exposed to fire-related events in human oral and intestinal cell models, Scientific Letters, 1, Sup (2) P28 (2023) 69, ISSN: 2795-5117. https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2023.112

J. Teixeira, G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Levels of fine and ultrafine particles in firefighters’ personal protective equipment storage rooms, Toxicology Letters, 368, Supplement (2022), S248-S249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.07.662

Proceedings of Scientific Conferences

S. Lavandeira, M. Oliveira, M.J. Alves, S. Morais (2023) Potencial das águas termais para melhorar a saúde respiratória dos bombeiros, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios Urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, p. 344-352; ISBN 978-989-35087-3-2. https://recipp.ipp.pt/entities/publication/5f72b982-53db-4340-8921-c4f08cd2f7ef

B. Barros, A. Paiva, M. Oliveira, Simone Morais (2023) Biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighter’s health, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios Urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, p. 336-343; ISBN 978-989-35087-3-2. https://recipp.ipp.pt/entities/publication/5f72b982-53db-4340-8921-c4f08cd2f7ef

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais (2023) Forest Fire Emissions as a public health burden, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios Urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, pp. 328-335; ISBN 978-989-35087-3-2. https://recipp.ipp.pt/entities/publication/5f72b982-53db-4340-8921-c4f08cd2f7ef

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos-Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira (2023) Níveis de partículas respiráveis libertados durante fogos controlados urbanos, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios Urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, pp. 209-218; ISBN 978-989-35087-3-2 https://recipp.ipp.pt/entities/publication/5f72b982-53db-4340-8921-c4f08cd2f7ef

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira (2023) Contribuição do combate aos incêndios urbanos para a exposição ocupacional como bombeiro, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios Urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, pp. 200-208; ISBN 978-989-35087-3-2. https://recipp.ipp.pt/entities/publication/5f72b982-53db-4340-8921-c4f08cd2f7ef

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais (2022) Assessment of biomarkers of effect in firefighting context: a review of the literature. Fire and Climate Conference, 23-27th May, 2022 Pasadena, California, USA, The International Association of Wildland Fire, Missoula, Montana, USA.

G. Sousa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira (2022) Skin contamination with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons after firefighting and rates of dermic permeability: A literature review. Proceedings for the Fire and Climate Conference, 23-27th May, 2022 Pasadena, California, USA, The International Association of Wildland Fire, Missoula, Montana, USA.

J. Teixeira, S. Morais, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Assessment of exposure to fine and ultrafine particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during prescribed burns, 18th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology (CEST 2023), 30st August – 2nd September 2023, Athens, Greece. ISSN: 2944-9820; https://doi.org/10.30955/gnc2023.00109

Invited Keynotes

M. Oliveira, Firefighters: Occupational exposure, early effects on the health of operational forces, and mitigation strategies, 18th Forum Nacional de Medicina no Trabalho and 4th Portuguese International Forum on Occupational Health – Occupational Health: more demanding and for everyone, 28-30th November 2024, Centro Ismaili Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.

M. Oliveira, Impacto da exposição ao fumo e agentes carcinogénicos – estudo de caso, Seminar and workshop “Saúde e Segurança nos Bombeiros”, Bombeiros Cruz Branca, 9th November 2024, Vila Real, Portugal.

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Emissões dos incêndios florestais e o seu impacto na saúde humana, Webinar “Incêndios Florestais: consequências e impactos”, Unidade Curricular de Organização e Intervenção na Emergência, Lisbon Higher School of Health Technology (ESTeSL), Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, 20th May 2024.

M. Oliveira, S. Morais, C. Delerue-Matos, Occupational exposure as a firefighter – contribution from biomonitoring assays, Special Session 07 – Guidelines for emergency preparedness and management: Learnings from the 9/11 disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic, ICOH 2024 – 34th International Congress on Occupational Health, 28th April to 3rd May, Marrakesh, Morocco.

M. Oliveira, 4FirHealth: Firefighting occupational exposure and early effects on the health of operational forces, Webinar Cuidar da Saúde Ocupacional dos Bombeiros, Programa Saúde+, Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil, 11stApril 2023 (Online).

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Ubiquity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and associated risks: contribution from environmental and human biomonitoring studies, International Webinar on Pharmacology and Toxicology – New Technologies to Identify the Adverse Effects of Chemicals or Physical Agents on Living Organisms, April 21st 2022 (Online).

S. Morais, Biomarkers of exposure to particulate matter air pollutants: a precious tool for studying health-related effects, 8th International WeBIOPATR 2021, Belgrade, Serbia, November-December 2021.

Oral Communications

J. Teixeira, J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Firefighting occupational exposure and early effects on the health of occupational forces: evidence from in vitro assays, International Conference on Occupational exposure as a firefighter, health risks, and mitigation strategies, 17-18th October 2024, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Coimbra, A. Santos-Silva, M. Oliveira, Project 4FirHealth – Occupational exposure of firefighters during fire combat: assessment of pollutants’ levels and risks for respiratory and urinary system, International Conference on Occupational exposure as a firefighter, health risks, and mitigation strategies, 17-18th October 2024, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

P. Almeida, V.C. Fernandes, C. Delerue-Matos, P. Costa, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Development and application of a chewing gum with the capacity to withhold pollutants present in fire-emissions, International Conference on Occupational exposure as a firefighter, health risks, and mitigation strategies, 17-18th October 2024, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

S. Amorim, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Firefighters’ occupational exposure and health: Contribution from biomonitoring assays, International Conference on Occupational exposure as a firefighter, health risks, and mitigation strategies, 17-18th October 2024, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

B. Barros, A.M. Paiva, M. Oliveira, S. Alves, F. Esteves, A. Fernandes, J. Vaz, K. Slezakova, S. Costa, J.P. Teixeira, S. Morais, The BioFirEx Project: Exposure and health impacts of forest fire emissions on Portuguese wildland firefighters, International Conference on Occupational exposure as a firefighter, health risks, and mitigation strategies, 17-18th October 2024, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

P. Almeida, V.C. Fernandes, C. Delerue-Matos, P. Costa, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Development of a chewing gum with Actinidia arguta extract as an innovative mitigation strategy for firefighters occupational exposure, International Conference on Sustainable Foods (ICSF) – Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, 24-25th July 2024, School of Technology and Management of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Characterization of firefighters’ respiratory health risks during training structure fires: an exploratory approach, SHO’24 – International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4-5th July 2024, Porto, Portugal.

S. Lavandeira, M. Oliveira, M.J. Alves, S. Morais, The Impact of Occupational Exposure on Workers’ Respiratory Microbiota, IECTO2024 – 1st International Electronic Conference on Toxics, 22nd March 2024, MDPI (online)

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Short-term health effects of wildfire emissions, WeBioPATR 2023 – The 9th International WEBIOPATR Workshop & Conference Particulate Matter: Research and Management, p. 46, VInča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 28th November to 1st December 2023, Vinča, Belgrade. ISBN-978-86-7306-177-1.

J. Teixeira, S. Morais, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Assessment of exposure to fine and ultrafine particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during prescribed burns, 18^th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology (CEST 2023), p. 128, 31st August 2023, Athens, Greece.

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, 23 – Cardiorespiratory symptoms and disease among firefighters, SHO’23 – International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 21st July 2023, Porto, Portugal.

G. Sousa, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, 22 – Characterization of metal content in the saliva of firefighters: a preliminary study, SHO’23 – International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 21st July 2023, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, 18 – Use of urinary creatinine to assess occupational exposure as a firefighter: a preliminary study, SHO’23 – International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene, Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, 21st July 2023, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, F. Rodrigues, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Emissions from vehicle fires: levels of exposure during firefighting activities, Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health IV, September 8-9^th 2022, Porto, Portugal.

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Biomarkers of effect and biomarkers of exposure among firefighters: is there any correlation? A review, Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health IV, September 8-9th 2022, Porto, Portugal.

G. Sousa, J. Teixeira, B. Sarmento, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Skin contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after firefighting and rates of dermic permeability: a literature review, Fire and Climate – Impacts, Issues, and Futures, International Association of Wildland Fire, May 26th 2022, Pasadena USA (online).

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Assessment of biomarkers of effect in firefighting context: a review of the literature, Fire and Climate – Impacts, Issues, and Futures, International Association of Wildland Fire, 25th May 2022, Pasadena USA (Online)

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Firefighters´ exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during structural fires, PMPH – 2nd International Conference on Future of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 25th March 2022 London, UK (online).

G. Sousa, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Human biomonitoring through saliva: potential to assess firefighters’ occupational exposure, Biomarkers 2021 – 12th Annual Biomarkers and Clinical Research Congress, 2^nd November 2021 (online).

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Insight into the potential of urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress for firefighters’ health surveillance, International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SHO2021), 17-19th November, 2021 (online).

M. Oliveira, C. Delerue-Matos, A. Fernandes, M. Pereira, J. Teixeira, S. Morais, Biomonitoring of Portuguese firefighters: Levels of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potential health risks, The International Conference on Future of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 21-22nd June, 2021 (online).

M. Oliveira, S. Morais, C. Delerue-Matos, Potential of biomonitoring assays to evaluate human exposure and associated health risks, LAQV Webinars 2025 – Environmental Chemistry Research Group, 12th February (online).

J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, S. Morais, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Monitorization of air pollutants at occupational settings and impact on firefighters’ respiratory health, REQUIMTE/LAQV Webinars 2025 – Environmental Chemistry Research Group, 12th February (online).

F. Teixeira, J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, Marta Oliveira, Assessing firefighter occupational exposure via ingestion: The potential role of saliva as a biological sample, PhD Day VI Edition – Empowering Change: Strategies to Achieve the Goals of the 2030 Agenda, 16th October 2024, Higher Education, Polytechnic and University Cooperative (CESPU), Gandra, Paredes, Portugal.

P. Almeida, P. Costa, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Incidence rates and mortality caused by oral cancer in firefighters, IJUP24 – 17th Young Researchers Meeting of University of Porto, 10th May 2024, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Contribution of firefighters’ personal exposure to PAHs during controlled forest fires to their respiratory health burden, PhD Day V Edition – The Impact of Science, 26th October 2023, Higher Education, Polytechnic and University Cooperative (CESPU), Gandra, Paredes, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Coimbra, A. Santos-Silva, M. Oliveira, Impacto da atividade de combate aos incêndios nas concentrações urinárias de biomarcadores da função renal, II Seminário Medicina no Trabalho 2023, Auditório CIM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 23rd September 2023, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Coimbra, A. Santos-Silva, M. Oliveira, 91 – Early biomarkers of kidney injury in firefighters exposed to a controlled structure fire, Conference DCE23-Doctoral Congress in Engineering, p. 14-15, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 16th June 2023, Porto, Portugal. ISBN. 978-972-752-310-8.

G. Sousa, M. Freitas, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, 32 – Morphologic and elemental characterization of particulate matter from different firefighters’ working environments, Conference DCE23-Doctoral Congress in Engineering, pp. 10-11, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 16th June 2023, Porto, Portugal. ISBN. 978-972-752-310-8.

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Contribuição do combate aos incêndios urbanos para a exposição ocupacional como bombeiro, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, 2nd June 2023, Porto, Portugal, p. 56-57, ISBN: 978-989-35087-2-5.

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos-Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Níveis de partículas respiráveis libertados durante fogos urbanos controlados, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, 2nd June 2023, Porto, Portugal, p. 58-59, ISBN: 978-989-35087-2-5.

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Forest fires as a public health burden, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, 2nd June 2023, Porto, Portugal, p. 84-85, ISBN: 978-989-35087-2-5.

B. Barros, A. Paiva, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighter’s health, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, 2nd June 2023, Porto, Portugal, p. 86-87, ISBN: 978-989-35087-2-5.

S. Lavandeira, M. Oliveira, M.J. Alves, S. Morais, Potencial das águas termais para melhorar a saúde respiratória dos bombeiros, 8as Jornadas de Segurança aos Incêndios urbanos e 3as Jornadas de Proteção Civil, School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, 2nd June 2023, Porto, Portugal, p. 88-89.

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Biomarcadores de exposição no contexto ocupacional do bombeiro, Seminário (Bio)Marcadores para a vigilância do bombeiro, 27th January 2023, Porto, Portugal (online).

J. Teixeira, S. Morais, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, A exposição ocupacional do bombeiro e consequentes riscos para a saúde, Seminário Medicina do Trabalho 2022 – Doenças profissionais, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, 24th September 2022, Porto, Portugal

M. Oliveira, Exposição ocupacional no combate a incêndios, Workshop – Exposição ocupacional no combate a incêndios e riscos associados para a saúde dos bombeiros, 27th May 2022.

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Contaminação do equipamento de proteção individual do bombeiro e exposição por via dérmica, Workshop – Exposição ocupacional no combate a incêndios e riscos associados para a saúde dos bombeiros, 27th May 2022.

Poster Communications

F. Rodrigues, F. Teixeira, J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, M. Oliveira, In Vitro Cell Models for Assessing Ingestion Exposure in Firefighters: New Insights into Occupational Risk, XXVIII Encontro Galego-Portugués de Química, 13-15th November 2024, Vigo, Spain.

M. Oliveira, J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Coimbra, A. Santos Silva, F. Rodrigues, Avaliação de biomarcadores de dano renal em bombeiros com participação ativa num fogo controlado urbano, XXVIII Encontro Galego-Portugués de Química, 13-15th November 2024, Vigo, Spain.

J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Contribuição do combate a fogos florestais no dano pulmonar em bombeiros: evidência de estudos toxicológicos in vitro, Jornadas Ibéricas de Toxicologia, 26 – 27th September, Covilhã, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, P. Almeida, A. Santos-Silva, P. Costa, S. Morais, C. Delerue-Matos, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Firefighters´ occupational exposure assessment and estimation of associated health risks: an overview of European data, ICOH 2024 – 34th International Congress on Occupational Health, 28th April to 3rd May, Marrakesh, Morocco.

G. Sousa, J. Teixeira, M. J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Saliva as a promising matrix for biomonitorization of firefighters’ occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 8th International Conference on Food Digestion, 22708, 9-11th April 2024, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the environment and human health: Evidence retrieved from biomonitoring studies, IECTO2024 – 1st International Electronic Conference on Toxics, 20-22nd March 2024, MDPI (online).

P. Almeida, V. Fernandes, C. Delerue-Matos, P. Costa, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Development of a chewing gum as a device capable of retaining fire-related pollutants, International Firefighter Cancer Symposium, 22-23rd February 2024, Miami, Florida, USA.

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Coimbra, A. Santos-Silva, M. Oliveira, Concentrations of early kidney injury biomarkers after structural firefighting activities, International Firefighter Cancer Symposium, 22-23rd February 2024, Miami, Florida, USA.

J. Teixeira, M. J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Evaluation of SCBA’s effective protection toward occupational exposure to PAHs during training structure fires and the associated respiratory health risks, International Firefighter Cancer Symposium, 22-23rd February 2024, Miami, Florida, USA.

G. Sousa, J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Assessment of firefighters’ occupational exposure to metals on the oral cavity, International Firefighter Cancer Symposium, 22-23rd February 2024, Miami, Florida, USA.

G. Sousa, J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Composition of PM2.5 and PM0.1 on metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons released during prescribed fires, International Firefighter Cancer Symposium, 22-23rd February 2024, Miami, Florida, USA.

P. Almeida, F. Rodrigues, P. Costa, M. Oliveira, Development of a chewing gum to mitigate firefighters´ occupational exposure to fire-related pollutants, XXVII Encontro Luso-Galego de Química, pp. 302, 23-24th November 2023, Porto, Portugal. ISBN: 978 989 8124 40 1.

J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Cancer and the occupational activity as a firefighter, XXVII Encontro Luso-Galego de Química, pp. 299, 23-24th November 2023, Porto, Portugal. ISBN: 978 989 8124 40 1.

J. Teixeira, S. Morais, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos-Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Caracterização das emissões de poluentes durante fogos controlados urbanos, XXVII Encontro Luso-Galego de Química, pp. 235, 23-24th November 2023, Porto, Portugal. ISBN: 978 989 8124 40 1.

B. Barros, A.M. Paiva, S. Barros, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, Quantification of the urinary pyrene metabolite: correlation between HPLC and ELISA methodologies, XXVII Encontro Luso-Galego de Química, pp. 298, 23-24th November 2023, Porto, Portugal. ISBN: 978 989 8124 40 1.

J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos-Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Urinary monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals in firefighters with active participation in controlled structure fires, P23-05, 57th Congress of the European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX 2023) Toxicology – Multidisciplinary Science Leading to Safer and Sustainable Life, 10-13rd September 2023, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

M.J. Bessa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, M. Oliveira, F. Rodrigues, A step forward the in vitro toxicity assessment of firefighters’ exposure to controlled fires in human cell culture models, P16-13, 57th Congress of the European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX 2023) Toxicology – Multidisciplinary Science Leading to Safer and Sustainable Life, 10-13rd September 2023, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

B. Sarmento, M.J. Bessa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, F. Rodrigues, Assessment of firefighters’ saliva samples collected after fire-related events in human oral and intestinal in vitro culture models, Controlled Release Society (CRS) Annual Meeting and Exposition, P734, p. 51, 24-28th July, 2023, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

B. Barros, M. Oliveira, A. Paiva, A. Fernandes, S. Alves, J. Vaz, F. Esteves, K. Slezakova, M.J. Alves, J, Madureira, M.C. Pereira, S. Morais, P5. Urinary biomonitoring in firefighters: baseline data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites, p. 110, ISBM-12 – 12th International Symposium on Biological Monitoring in Occupational and Environmental Health, 21-23th June 2023, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, A.S. Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, P6. Urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury in firefighters: an exploratory approach, p. 111, ISBM-12 – 12th International Symposium on Biological Monitoring in Occupational and Environmental Health, 21-23th June 2023, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, S. Morais, F. Rodrigues, A. Santos Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, PO156 – Risks associated with the occupational exposure of firefighters during wildland fires, 8th International Wildland Fire Conference, ID129, p. 267, 16-19th May 2023, Alfândega do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

G. Sousa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, S. Morais, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, PP54 – Contamination of firefighters’ skin during firefighting activities and associated health risks, 8th International Wildland Fire Conference, ID222, p. 276, 16-19th May 2023, Alfândega do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

B. Barros, A.M. Paiva, M. Oliveira, S. Morais, PO132 – Characterization of exposure to air pollutants during firefighting activities by biomonitoring, 8th International Wildland Fire Conference, ID389, pp. 295, 16-19th May 2023, Alfândega do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

M. Bessa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, In vitro toxicity assessment of firefighters´ breathable air collected on polyurethane foams in human lung epithelial cells, II TOXRUN International Congress 2023 – No Boundaries for Toxicology: One Health, One Society, One Planet, Poster 35, 27-28th April 2023, Higher Education, Polytechnic and University Cooperative (CESPU), Gandra, Paredes.

J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Firefighters’ exposure to airborne carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during controlled forest fires and related health risks, International Firefighter Cancer Symposium 2023, 23-25th February 2023, Miami, USA.

J. Teixeira, S. Morais, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Dermal exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during firefighting and potential health hazardous effects, International Firefighter Cancer Symposium 2023, 23-25th February 2023, Miami, USA.

J. Teixeira, G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Indoor levels of fine and ultrafine particles at Portuguese fire stations, XXVI Encontro Galego-Portugués de Química, QS61, p. 576, 16-18th November 2022, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

G. Sousa, J. Teixeira, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Firefighters’ personal exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during controlled forest fires, XXVI Encontro Galego-Portugués de Química, QA 51, pp. 507, 16-18th November 2022, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

J. Teixeira, G. Sousa, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Levels of fine and ultrafine particles in firefighters’ personal protective equipment storage rooms, XVI International Congress of Toxicology, P19-13, S 248-249, 18-21st September 2022, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

B. Barros, S. Morais, M. Oliveira, Fogos Florestais e Impacto na Saúde dos Operacionais e População Exposta, Science Castle – Noite Europeia de Investigadores, Castelo da Foz – Forte São João Batista – University of Porto, Portugal, 24th September, 2021.

P. Almeida, V.C. Fernandes, C. Delerue-Matos, P. Costa, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Chewing gum as an innovative and sustainable mitigation device capable retaining pollutants and promote occupational health, 2º Simpósio INIAV para a Segurança Alimentar, 27th November 2024, Auditório Municipal de Vila do Conde, Vila do Conde, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, M.J. Bessa, C. Delerue-Matos, B. Sarmento, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Riscos respiratórios e toxicidade in vitro resultantes da atividade de combate a incêndios florestais, III Seminário de Medicina do Trabalho, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 28th September 2024, Porto, Portugal.

G. Sousa, J.Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, A. Santos-Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Eposter, Characterization of wildland firefighters’ exposure to coarse, fine, and ultrafine particles, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metal(loid)s, and estimation of associated health risks, Encontro Ciência 2024, 3 – 5th July 2024, porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, A. Santos-Silva, M. Oliveira, A atividade ocupacional do bombeiro e a sua relação com o cancro, II Congresso Nacional de Epidemiologia e Registo de Cancro, Portuguese Cancer Institute, 23-24th May 2024, Porto, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, F. Rodrigues, C. Delerue-Matos, S. Coimbra, A. Santos-Silva, M. Oliveira, Evaluation of firefighter’s renal function after participation in a controlled forest fire, 6th Meeting of Medicinal Biotechnology, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 17th May 2024, Porto, Portugal.

A.M. Paiva, B. Barros, R. Azevedo, M. Oliveira, S. Alves, F. Esteves, A. Fernandes, J. Vaz, M. Alves, K. Slezakova, M.C. Pereira, J.P. Teixeira, S. Costa, A. Almeida, S. Morais, Exposure characterization of metals and metalloids from the ATSDR priority list in firefighters, Workshop on Human BioMonitoring in Portugal (4th HBM-PT) – Human Biomonitoring for a better protection of citizens’ health against chemical risks, National Institute of Public Health, 19th April 2024, Lisbon, Portugal.

G. Sousa, J. Teixeira, R. Azevedo, A. Almeida, C. Delerue-Matos, X. Wang, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Method development for the quantification of metals in firefighters wipe samples, Analítica 2024, 25-26th March 2024, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal.

P. Almeida, V.C. Fernandes, C. Delerue-Matos, P. Costa, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Development of a methodology to analyze fire-released pollutants in chewing gum, Analítica 2024, 25-26th March, 2024 Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal.

P. Almeida, F. Rodrigues, P. Costo, M. Oliveira, Organoleptic and textural characterization of a chewing gum to absorb pollutants released during fire events, XVIII Congresso Científico da AEFFUP – A Farmácia Comunitária do Futuro: Desafios e Oportunidades, pp. 18, 10th and 11st November 2023, National Association of Pharmacies – North Delegation, Porto, Portugal.

S. Lavandeira, M. Oliveira, M.J. Alves, S. Morais, Firefighters’ Respiratory Health, Conference DCE23-Doctoral Congress in Engineering, p. 27-28, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 16th June 2023, Porto, Portugal. ISBN: 978-972-752-310-8.

P. Almeida, J. Teixeira, P. Costa, A. Santos Silva, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Variation of urinary creatinine levels in firefighter trainees during a controlled urban fire event, Young Researchers Meeting of U. Porto, p. 957, 10-12th May 2023, Porto, Portugal. ISBN: 978-989-746-356-3

J. Teixeira, S. Morais, C. Delerue-Matos, M. Oliveira, Firefighters’ exposure to PM2.5 and PM1 bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during a prescribed fire, 12º Encontro Nacional de Cromatografia, 6-7th December 2022, p. 138, Aveiro, Portugal.

J. Teixeira, S. Morais, C. Delerue-Matos, A. Santos Silva, F. Rodrigues, M. Oliveira, Quantification of urinary monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in firefighters participating in a controlled urban fire event, 12º Encontro Nacional de Cromatografia, 6-7th December 2022, p. 132, Aveiro, Portugal.

Communication actions with media, study participants, and civil society

Workshop Exposição ocupacional no combate a incêndios e efeitos precoces na saúde das forças operacionais, organized by REQUIMTE/LAQV – School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, 28th February 2024, 128 participants (online). https://hera-science.com/events/workshop-exposicao-ocupacional-no-combate-a-incendios/

International Conference on Occupational exposure as a firefighter, health risks, and mitigation strategies, organized by REQUIMTE/LAQV- School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto, 17-18th October 2024, 98 participants, Porto, Portugal. https://hera-science.com/events/occupational-exposure-as-a-firefighter/

Dissemination action at the European Researchers’ Night with the theme Riscos associados ao trabalho do bombeiro e importância do uso de equipamentos de proteção individual, 27th September 2024, I3S – Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto.
https://noticias.up.pt/2024/09/20/noite-dos-investigadores-2024-junta-instituicoes-da-u-porto-no-i3s/

Dissemination in the event Open Campus 24 organized by the Polytechnic of Porto, 16-17th February 2024, Centro Desportivo do politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal. https://www.ipp.pt/noticias/open-campus24-esta-a-chegar

Supplement Perpectiva Atual of the weekly Journal Sol, Edition 29, December 2023, pages 25-27. https://perspetivaatual.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dezembro-2023.pdf

Workshop – Exposição ocupacional no combate a incêndios e riscos associados para a saúde dos bombeiros, 27th May 2022, REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Politécnico do Porto, 70 participants, Porto, Portugal. https://www.isep.ipp.pt/Page/ViewPage/FirHealth

Dissemination in the event 8as Jornadas do Departamento de Engenharia Química – Transição Energética, March 15th 2023, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Porto, Portugal. https://www.deq.isep.ipp.pt/index.php?page=jornadas-do-deq-2023 https://www.flickr.com/photos/149114984@N07/albums/72177720306736780/

Dissemination in the event TOMORROW SUMMIT, organized by Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 10-11st November 2022, Alfândega do Porto, Porto, Portugal. https://www.ipp.pt/noticias/p-porto-marca-presenca-na-tomorrow-summit

Dissemination in the Supplement Perpetiva Atual of the weekly Journal Sol, Edition 22, November 2022, page 13. https://perspetivaatual.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PERSP_22_bx_OK.pdf

Reportage on the national RTP 3 television channel, program Tech 3, 13th February 2022; https://www.rtp.pt/play/p6032/e598620/tech-3

Reportage emitted on the facebook social network page of the city Marco de Canaveses with the dissemination of two controlled firefighting activities in Sierra of Aboboreira, Porto. The reportage was emitted on 18th January 2022. https://www.facebook.com/cmmarcodecanaveses/ (Facebook social network page of the city Marco de Canaveses; https://www.facebook.com/cmmarcodecanaveses/

Dissemination in the Supplement Perpetiva Atual of the weekly Journal Sol, Edition 14, November 2021, page 12. https://perspetivaatual.pt/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PERSP_14.pdf

Dissemination at the European Researchers’ Night with the theme Forest fires and impact on the health of firefighters and the exposed population, 24th September 2021
https://sciencecastle.eu/home/programa/ ; https://sciencecastle.eu/event-organizer/marta-oliveira/