Tracking firefighter exposure to wildfire smoke and early cancer-related signs
Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Exposures, Effects, and Interventions: A Collaborative Research-to-Action Partnership with Firefighters
This project uses silicone wristbands and urine tests to track chemicals firefighters pick up from wildland-urban interface fires and look for early biological changes tied to cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301023 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a firefighter who works where wildfires reach neighborhoods, researchers will ask you to wear silicone wristbands during shifts and give urine samples after fire responses. The wristbands capture a wide range of airborne and contact chemicals while urine will be tested with targeted and untargeted metabolomics plus epigenetic markers like microRNA and DNA methylation. The team will return exposure data quickly and pilot practical interventions such as improved personal protective equipment, faster skin decontamination, and administrative changes. The goal is to identify high-exposure tasks and actionable steps that reduce harmful exposures over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are career or volunteer firefighters who respond to wildland-urban interface fires and can wear wristbands and provide urine samples.
Not a fit: People without occupational or residential exposure to wildfire smoke are unlikely to get direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help detect harmful exposures earlier and guide protective practices that lower long-term cancer and other health risks for firefighters.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have used silicone wristbands and urine metabolomics to detect environmental exposures, but combining those measures with epigenetic markers and testing rapid interventions is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burgess, Jefferey L. — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Burgess, Jefferey L.
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.