Effects of wildfire smoke on heart health and iron balance
Official title: Impact of Biomass Burning Aerosol and Humic-like Substances on Iron Homeostasis and Atherosclerosis
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10906216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breathing in smoke from wildfires might affect your heart health and iron levels, helping us understand the unique risks of wildfire smoke compared to city air pollution.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $97,546 |
| NIH project number | 5K99ES034819-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of cardiovascular issues or those living in areas frequently affected by wildfires.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cardiovascular conditions or are not exposed to wildfire smoke may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to biomass burning aerosols from wildfires affects heart health and iron levels in the body. It focuses on understanding the cardiovascular effects of these aerosols, which may differ from urban air pollution. The study will use laboratory-generated aerosols and controlled inhalation exposures to assess their impact on inflammation and atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries. By examining these effects, the research aims to uncover new insights into the health risks associated with wildfire smoke.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases linked to air pollution from wildfires.
How similar studies have gone: While there is existing research on urban air pollution and cardiovascular health, this specific focus on biomass burning aerosols is novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gonzalez, David H — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Gonzalez, David H
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.