About the Study

three firefighters

About the Study

The Firefighter Collaborative Research Project (FCRP) Study is a three-year research project funded by the Arizona Board of Regents. The study will help us understand the effect of interventions on changing PFAS levels, disease risk, and epigenetic age. The FCRP research team plans to enroll 1,500 firefighters.

Study objectives

This study is being done to learn more about interventions that may reduce epigenetic age and cardiovascular risk, as well as overall health risks, associated with, but not limited to PFAS exposure. We hope to answer questions like:

  • What interventions may be effective at addressing high blood PFAS levels?
  • How do the interventions affect cardiovascular, epigenetic age, and overall health risk?

Importance

Previous research has shown that Arizona firefighters have higher PFAS levels in their blood compared to the general population. Recently, an Australian study demonstrated the effectiveness of regular blood or plasma donation over 12 months in lowering PFAS levels. However, the Australian study did not evaluate the potential reduction of the risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease related to reduced PFAS. This study seeks to build off of existing research and provide evidence to support recommendations about what types of changes firefighters can make to reduce their risk for certain diseases and the levels of PFAS in their blood. This research can also be used to support recommendations to fire departments and other organizations about improving firefighter health and safety.

What will participants be doing?

All participants will be asked to complete surveys and provide samples of blood and urine throughout the study.

Based on serum PFAS levels, survey responses, and location, those eligible for the study will be enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the following study arms and complete the listed activities:

Blood Donation

  • Donate blood (at a nearby blood donation center) every 12 weeks over a 12-month period.

Plasma Donation

  • Donate plasma (at a nearby participating plasma donation center) every 6 weeks over a 12-month period.

Control Group for Plasma and Blood Donation

  • Abstain from donating blood and plasma for a 12-month period, and otherwise continue their normal daily activities

Zone 2 Physical Activity   (select Arizona departments only)

  • Complete a minimum of 45 minutes of physical activity in zone 2 heart rate range for a minimum of 4 days per week for 4 months
  • Complete a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) before beginning and after completing 4 months of zone 2 training
  • Wear a wrist-worn heart and health tracker at all times unless it is charging for 4 months

Control Group for Zone 2 Physical Activity   (select Arizona departments only)

  • Complete a CPET test before beginning and after completing 4 months of participation in the control group
  • Wear a wrist-worn heart and health tracker at all times unless it is charging for 4 months
  • Abstain from doing zone 2 physical activity for 4 months, and otherwise continue their normal daily activities.      

Intermittent Fasting   (select Arizona departments only)

  • Limit intake of food and calorie-containing beverages to an 8-10 hour window a day and fast for the remaining 14-16 hours on a minimum of 4 days per week for 4 months.

Intermittent Fasting Control   (select Arizona departments only)

  • Abstain from intermittent fasting for 4 months, and otherwise continue their normal daily activities.