Highlights
• Firefighters are occupationally exposed to toxic and carcinogenic compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
•Silicone-based passive sampling presents an easy, affordable means to document firefighter exposure.
•PAH exposure observed on wristbands of firefighters reporting to fire scenes was greater than for non-fire wristbands.
•Diagnostic PAH ratios support exposure originating from diesel combustion observed in the fire service environment.