Keynote Talk on Toxic Chemical Movement in Firefighters’ Gear in India
On Monday, 22nd December 2025, Dr. Svetlana Tretsiakova-McNally delivered an insightful keynote speech titled “Beyond Burn Protection: Scientific Insights into Toxic Chemicals Movement in Firefighters Gear” at Mar Athanasius College (MAC), Kothamangalam (Kerala, India). The event was hosted in student centre and attracted a diverse audience of the staff and students at the Department of Chemistry, MAC and Mar Athanasius International School (MIAS).
During the session, the InToxFire project was introduced, sparking technical discussions on hazards associated with fire ground chemicals and the extent of firefighters' exposure to toxic substances. Svetlana began her presentation by highlighting the critical demand for assessment of the transfer of toxins from fire effluent through layers of firefighters protective gears and highlighted the concerning high rates of mortality and serious medical conditions among firefighters compared to national and international average values.
In continue she shared the InToxFIRE project’s experimental studies results attained so far on various firefighter gears ensembles.
The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, allowing attendees to gain deeper insights into the research findings and explore potential advancements in firefighter protective gear.
Along with all participant, presence of so many female chemists and students was impressive. Engaging with such enthusiastic students and teachers, exchanging ideas and discussing current research questions made the sessions both interactive and very rewarding.
InToxFIRE team are sincerely thankful for Dr Winny Varghese (Secretary, Mar Athanasius College Association), Dr. Manju Kurian (Principal, MAC), Dr. Aby P. Varghese (Vice-Principal, MAC), Dr. Annu Anna Varghese, Dr. P. R. Jyothi (Department of Chemistry, MAC), and Mrs. Anitha K. Nair (Principal, MAIS) besides other staff and students of MAC and MIAS for a their warm welcome, excellent coordination and active participations. Also sincere thanks go to Dr. Paul Joseph (Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia) for facilitating Svetlana’s visit and presentation.
Stay tuned for more updates on the InToxFIRE project and future developments in fire protection research.
