ISU Researchers lead statewide effort to reduce cancer risk for firefighters
Inside the hazard simulation lab at Iowa State University, Guowen Song watches a column of engineered smoke curl upward from a controlled burn.
The smoke isn’t theatrical — it’s data. And for Song, professor and the Noma Scott Lloyd Endowed Chair of apparel, events and hospitality at Iowa State, it represents a growing occupational‑health threat facing Iowa firefighters.
“Every day, firefighters across the state are doing heroes’ work, but their gear isn’t fully protecting them,” said Song, who directs the university’s NextGen Personal Protective Technology (NexGenPPT) program. “We want to help change that.”
Song and his research team recently helped launch the Iowa Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Exposure Reduction Program, a new statewide initiative focused on prevention, exposure monitoring, early detection, care navigation and building an Iowa-specific data system to guide future safety standards.
