BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan 11, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A firefighter in Boca Raton,
Fla., alleges he and others in his department were slowly poisoned by the
fire-resistant material in their pants.
Of 36 Boca Raton firefighters tested for the chemical antimony, 30 were found to
have elevated levels of the heavy metal, said Capt. John Luca.
Antimony is related to arsenic and a key ingredient in the FireWear pants the
firefighters were required to wear as part of their daily uniforms for more than
15 years, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported Sunday.
Luca, 43, several years ago began experiencing trembling in his fingers, a
weakened leg and paralysis in his toes, while others in the department reported
similar symptoms of heavy-metal poisoning, the Post reported.
"There's no doubt that the pants caused us to be sick," said Luca, noting the
city has allowed firefighters to go back to plain cotton pants for daily wear.
While the makers of the pants say there is no hard evidence the pants were to
blame, the city has asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to investigate,
the Post reported.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International