Interventions to Reduce Firefighter Cancer and Cardiovascular Risks (also known as the Firefighter Collaborative Research Project (FCRP)) (2023-2026)
Website: https://fcrp.arizona.edu/
Funding: Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR
Principal Investigator: Melissa Furlong, PhD and Jeff Burgess, MD, MS, MPH
Goal:
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce firefighter serum PFAS levels, lower cardiovascular risk, and improve epigenetic age.
Specific Aims
1. Build off existing research to determine if donating blood or plasma at regular intervals for one year will reduce serum PFAS levels in firefighters.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of PFAS reduction through blood or plasma donation, intermittent fasting, and zone 2 physical activity in improving advanced epigenetic age.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in lowering cardiovascular risk and improving the overall health and wellness of firefighters.
Anticipated Impact
If serum PFAS and their adverse health effects can be reduced through blood or plasma donation, then the results of this study will provide the evidence necessary to recommend these treatments to all firefighters and individuals in the general public with elevated serum PFAS levels. The results of research with firefighters will also inform treatments to improve advanced epigenetic age and lower cardiovascular risk in the general population.
Study Updates
1. Study enrollment began in August of 2023 and will end in August of 2024.
2. As of July 2024 over 1,500 firefighters have their serum sent for PFAS measurement and are receiving their individual results back