Study Shows Potential Epigenetic Basis for Increased Health Risks in Firefighters

A new study led by researchers at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zukerman College of Public Health identified changes in the cellular mechanisms controlling gene expression, called epigenetics, that may contribute to an increased risk of diseases including cancer in firefighters.

SWEHSC member, Jeff Burgess, MD, MS, MPH, professor of public health, led a research team that found changes in DNA methylation after multiple fire exposures. The discovery offers a potential mechanistic link between occupational hazards and adverse health outcomes.

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