Grenfell Tower firefighters diagnosed with rare cancers

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Round 12 firefighters who battled the deadly Grenfell Tower inferno were reported to have been diagnosed with rare cancers after being exposed to high levels of the pollutant during rescue efforts.

Experts are said to fear more than 20 cases may end up linked to the West London fire in June 2017, which killed 72 residents.

According to Mirror Investigations, the majority of diseases diagnosed among the crews are cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and leukemia, for which there is no cure.

Grenfell was one of the worst disasters in the UK’s recent history. The youngest victim was six-month-old Lina Belkadi, who died in her mother’s arms while trying to flee the 24-storey building.

Since some cancers can take up to 25 years to appear, both firefighters and survivors have been called in for health checks.

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David Padillo, the first firefighter to enter the tower, said: “I have two young children and I want to see them grow up.

“I was scanned and nothing turned up but you never know what could happen in the future.”

Analysis of soil, debris and charred samples from the sandwich panels used in the tower revealed high concentrations of cancer-causing chemicals.

During the fire, firefighters were forced to wait in the smoky basement for up to six hours.

Many others remained in their contaminated suits for more than ten hours.

Research by the Fire Brigade Union and the University of Central Lancashire found that crews were twice as likely to develop cancer if they remained in their PPE for more than four hours after a fire broke out.

They are also at least twice as likely to be diagnosed if they notice blockage in their nose or throat.

The newspaper spoke to a firefighter, in his 50s, who said Grenfell left him suicidal and with scarred lungs.

“We’ve been breathing in all the toxins for ages,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot of people have had ‘Grenfell cough’.”

He has failed several doctors since the fire due to poor lung function and now requires inhalers.

Ricardo La Torre, of the Fire Brigade’s union, said: “Firefighters should be able to attend to any incident without worrying about a looming cancer diagnosis afterwards. It’s time for government and employers to take this seriously.”

“We need to see urgent action now through prevention, health surveillance, medical and financial support in memory of every firefighter who has suffered from these terrible diseases.”

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Our firefighters must be as safe as possible when carrying out their jobs, and we are currently involved in two studies investigating the potential impact of pollutants on health, including one directly linked to the Grenfell Tower fire.

“All firefighters and officers who attended Grenfell were invited to participate in the research project, which carefully monitors their health even after they retire or leave the service. Staff also have access to our Occupational Health Services to support them through periods of ill health.”

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