Title: Electric Battery Fire Study (2024)

Funding: Center for Firefighter Health Collaborative Research

Principal Investigators: Jeff Burgess, MD, MS, MPH; David Prezant, MD; Heather Stapleton, PhD

Project Coordinator: Cynthia Porter

Goal

The goal of this study is to evaluate the exposures and the associated toxic effects from electric battery fires in New York City Fire Department (FDNY) firefighters.

Specific Aims

1. Measure environmental exposures from electric battery fires.

2. Measure biomarkers of exposure and/or toxicity through blood and urine collected after a battery fire along with additional exposure information collected through an online survey.

Anticipated Impact

Through this study, research activities and results will be used to identify exposures from electric battery fires and use findings to inform safety practices.

Study Updates

Firefighters from FDNY Rescue and Squad Companies have been enrolled and the post-fire follow-up has begun