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A Philadelphia Magazine investigation reveals that "at least 130 of the city's 4,400 active and retired firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians have hepatitis C - a blood-borne, often fatal virus that attacks the liver." The report profiles six of the Philadelphia firefighters who believe that they have contracted the deadly disease on the job. The interviewees admit that they have often been involved in childbirths and "cases with a lot of bodily fluids." The story quotes one of the sick men who blames the fire department for not providing - until recently - the rescue workers with masks or gloves. It also describes how the city has denied the claims and has refused the medical expenses of the sick firemen..

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