A study from the University of the Western Cape suggesting that more than half of the province’s firefighters have reported respiratory problems has been disputed by authorities, who have said the findings have “been represented and need to be corrected”, reports News24.
They said monitoring was constantly carried out and that the research had been skewed.
According to Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for safety and security, JP Smith, the city had since contacted the study team to correct their findings. He also pointed out that firefighters who took part in the study represented less than 15% of those in the city.
“It must be noted that the study was conducted while staff were on duty …[and] the Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service conducts a functional ability test every quarter, which measures firefighters’ respiratory rate,” he added
University of Cape Town consultant pulmonologist Professor Richard van Zyl-Smit said it was vital for workers like firefighters to be protected with measures such as screening beforehand, and essential that they do not smoke tobacco or cigarettes, or use vapes.
It was not unexpected to find they have long-term symptoms like coughing due to smoke, inhalants, and toxic chemicals, as these may damage the lungs and worsen respiratory symptoms, he said, adding that there needed to be sufficient protection against physical dust and smoke.
There are also many invisible harmful chemicals, and firefighters need to be provided with the appropriate occupational standard level of respiratory protection.
“We must not panic because our firefighters report symptoms,” said Van Zyl-Smit. “When you are looking for symptoms in a group of people who have exposure, you are clearly going to see symptoms.
“But what we want to see is that these don’t increase over time, that they settle down after exposure, and that when they’re not firefighting, these symptoms settle.”
Last week, UWC had released a statement about its recently published research in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, which examined the lung health of 278 firefighters from the city and Fire Rescue Service.
The study was led by a senior lecturer in the sport, recreation and exercise science department, Dr Jaron Ras, and co-authored by Professor Lloyd Leach and Jordan Sasha Kaylor.
It showed the occupational health risks associated with firefighting, with more than half of the firefighters reporting at least one respiratory symptom.
According to the statement, the most common complaint reported by 54.4% of participating firefighters was coughing, while almost 41% reported nasal congestion.
It said firefighters aged 30 to 49 were more likely to experience respiratory symptoms than those in other age groups. The findings suggested that both long-term exposure to smoke and toxic fumes and physical health factors, like obesity, might contribute to declining respiratory health among firefighters.
However, the researchers found that a vast majority (97.8%) had normal lung capacity, with only a small proportion showing signs of lungs that were not functioning as well as they should.
“A total of 0.7% had borderline restriction, 1.1% had restricted lung function, and 0.4% had severe restriction,” said the statement.
The team said smoking was linked to poorer lung function, with firefighters who smoked more cigarettes producing poorer breathing test results.
They added that the results indicated a need for routine testing of firefighters’ pulmonary function, including monitoring body mass index, targeted fitness programmes, and supporting the cessation of smoking.
“Regular exercise plays a critical role in mitigating the adverse effects of prolonged occupational exposure on pulmonary health, and comprehensive health programmes that promote physical activity, reduce body fat percentage, enhance muscle mass and address negative health behaviours are essential,” they wrote.
Study details
Pulmonary Functions and Capacities and Their Associations with Sociodemographic, Physical and Behavioural Risk Factors in Firefighters
Jaron Ras, Lloyd Leach and Jordan Sasha Kaylor.
Published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) in March 2026
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary symptoms and disorders among full-time firefighters in the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service and to explore associations with sociodemographic, physical and behavioural risk factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted among 278 full-time firefighters using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-generated questionnaire and spirometry measurements. Physical characteristics were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied (Kruskal–Wallis H, Chi-squared test, Pearson’s correlation), with p < 0.05 denoting statistical significance.
Results
More than half (53.60%) of firefighters presented with at least one pulmonary symptom. Coughing (54.36%) and nasal congestion (40.94%) were the most common symptoms. Pulmonary symptoms were more frequent among firefighters aged 30–49 years. Significant differences were found in pulmonary function between age categories (p < 0.01) and obesity in firefighters (p < 0.01). Negative correlations were found between FVC and BMI (r =−0.35), BG% (r = −0.47) and years of experience (r =−0.21).
Conclusions
Findings highlight the occupational burden of pulmonary health risks and the need for regular screening and preventive strategies within firefighting populations.
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