Long-term lung effects of repeated smoke exposure in wildland firefighters
Chronic Respiratory Effect and Control of Occupational Exposure of Wildland Firefighters to Smoke
This project looks at how repeated wildfire smoke exposure affects the lungs and airway cells of wildland firefighters.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11118652 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you fight wildfires, researchers will track your work-related smoke exposure and lung health over time. They will measure air concentrations at the fireline, perform breathing tests, and collect airway samples to look for molecular signs of inflammation or early cancer-related changes. The team will compare firefighters with different cumulative exposures and study whether situational use of air-purifying protection reduces harm. The aim is to find early signs of lung damage and inform better exposure controls for firefighters.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Active wildland firefighters who spend extended hours at the fireline and have a history of repeated smoke exposures are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without occupational wildfire smoke exposure or those with advanced lung disease from other causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify early lung injury and support protective strategies to lower long-term respiratory illness and cancer risk in wildland firefighters.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown short-term breathing changes after smoke events, but long-term respiratory and molecular effects in firefighters remain understudied, making this work relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adetona, Olorunfemi — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Adetona, Olorunfemi
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 below.