Columnist Blasts Flame Retardants as a Health Menace to Firefighters

A popular columnist for the Pioneer Press in Minneapolis-St. Paul argued in a May 4 article that firefighters need help in battling the health effects of toxic chemicals such as flame retardants in homes.Ruben Rosario noted that multiple studies have shown that firefighters have higher cancer rates for respiratory, digestive and urinary systems than the general population. Their mesothelioma and testicular cancer rates are double the national average. Rosario quotes Chris Parsons, president of the Minnesota Professional Firefighters, as supporting tighter regulation (if not an outright ba...