Some local fire departments are starting to take extra steps to prevent cancer.
De Pere Chief Alan Matzke says many newer homes are built with a lot of harmful materials. He says those include plastics, nylon and poly.
Matzke says those burn fast and release toxins. He says they now wear oxygen masks longer and wash their gear more often.
Matzke says it’s a very personal issue. He says almost 10 years ago a fellow firefighter died of occupational cancer. Adam Van Rite was just 32 years old.
