Impact of Toxins in Exhaust
The toxins in exhaust may be invisible once they leave the tailpipe, but their effects on firefighter health and department budgets are dramatic. Fire departments face mounting concerns and costs related to firefighter health issues stemming from chronic exposure to diesel exhaust. When comparing these costs to the long-term value of installing a diesel exhaust filtration system, the difference is striking and the return on investment is clear.
The Hidden Health Price of Diesel Exhaust
Firefighters are already exposed to a host of combustion byproducts and chemicals when responding to a fire and diesel exhaust exposure in the station adds another layer of danger. In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified diesel exhaust as a carcinogen, and according to OSHA, “Workers exposed to diesel exhaust face the risk of health effects ranging from irritation of the eyes and nose, headaches and nausea, to respiratory disease and lung cancer.”
Firefighters’ consistent and regular exposure to diesel exhaust fumes increases their likelihood of developing occupational cancer, translating directly into rising firefighter health costs. Workers’ compensation claims, lost time due to illness, and long-term medical care costs for affected firefighters all impact fire department resources.
The Cost of Apparatus Damage and Station Maintenance
Health concerns aren’t the only costs of untreated diesel exhaust. Soot and chemical residues from unfiltered exhaust can infiltrate sensitive electronic components, corrode metal surfaces, and degrade paint and insulation. Vehicle bays, walls, and ventilation systems can become coated with oily particulate matter, requiring frequent cleaning and repainting.
Departments without filtration systems often face higher apparatus repair costs due to clogged air filters, sensor failures, and premature component wear. When multiplied across a fleet and factored over years, these maintenance expenses can rival, or even exceed, the price of investing in a diesel exhaust filtration system.
A Smarter Investment: Ward Diesel’s NO SMOKE Diesel Exhaust Filtration System
Ward Diesel’s NO SMOKE line of diesel exhaust filtration systems provides a simple, effective, and cost-efficient solution. Unlike traditional overhead hose systems, NO SMOKE is apparatus-mounted, providing direct source capture both inside the firehouse and on-scene of a fire. The system starts automatically when the engine starts and filters exhaust during idling, backing in, and while the truck is running on location.
This design eliminates the need for building modifications, hanging hoses, or complicated setups. It also allows complete flexibility in how vehicles are parked or reassigned, because the filtration system is mobile.
Minimal Maintenance, Maximum Protection
When evaluating exhaust system ROI, maintenance costs are a crucial factor for fire departments and that’s where the NO SMOKE filtration system comes in.
Ward Diesel Filter Systems NO SMOKE provides several health and reduced maintenance benefits for fire departments including:
- NO SMOKE 2 requires no regular maintenance or cleaning. Its filter substrate regenerates automatically when the vehicle’s after-treatment device regenerates.
- The original NO SMOKE system requires a simple filter change only once every three years, on average.
- NO SMOKE eliminates harmful carcinogens and particulate matter from your vehicle’s exhaust, dramatically reducing firefighter exposure to cancer causing toxins.
The current cost for a clean replacement filter for NO SMOKE is currently available for $395 plus shipping each way, a fraction of what most departments spend annually on cleaning supplies and repainting walls coated in diesel residue.
Creating Firefighter Health Costs Saving Through Prevention
Consider the long-term financial impact of firefighter illness prevention. A single cancer treatment can easily exceed $100,000, not including lost time and pension liabilities. Fire departments that reduce exposure through filtration see measurable savings in firefighter health costs, fewer claims, and improved morale. Cleaner air inside the station also reduces absenteeism due to respiratory illnesses and allergies. By protecting your firefighters before exposure occurs, diesel exhaust filtration systems serve as a form of insurance, one that pays dividends in both health and financial savings.
In addition to firefighter occupational health priorities, Ward Diesel’s NO SMOKE filtration systems help protect your fire department’s vehicles and stations. By filtering exhaust before it leaves the tailpipe, these systems prevent soot buildup in engine compartments, walls, ceilings, and HVAC systems. The result is a cleaner, safer working environment that requires less frequent painting, duct cleaning, and repair.
Breath Easier with NO SMOKE
Between rising firefighter health costs, station maintenance demands, and vehicle repairs, unfiltered diesel exhaust quietly drains fire department budgets every year.
Ward Diesel’s line of NO SMOKE diesel exhaust filtration systems provides a low-maintenance, apparatus-mounted solution that protects firefighters both in the station and on scene of a fire emergency. When it comes to firefighter health and operational efficiency, the real question isn’t whether departments can afford diesel exhaust filtration systems, it’s whether they can afford not to.
Want to start saving on maintenance and health costs? View our NO SMOKE products today!