Wood Smoke exposure induces a Pulmonary and Systemic Inflammatory Response in fire fighters

¹ The James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, University of British Columbia, Division of Respirology, St. Paul's Hospital
² Dept of Medicine, Division of Respirology, University of Calgary
³ School of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, University of British Columbia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: svaneeden{at}mrl.ubc.ca.

	Abstract

Epidemiological studies report an association between exposure to biomass smoke and cardiopulmonary morbidity. The mechanism(s) for this association are unclear.

To characterize the acute pulmonary and systemic inflammatory effects of exposure to forest fire smoke.

Seasonal forest firefighters (N=52) were recruited before and/or after a day of firefighting. Exposure was assessed by questionnaires and measurement of carbon monoxide levels (used to estimate respirable particulate matter [RPM] exposure). The pulmonary response was assessed by questionnaires, spirometry, and sputum induction. Peripheral blood cell counts and inflammatory cytokines were measured to define the systemic response.

Estimate RPM exposure was high (peak levels >2mg·m^-3) during firefighting activities. Respiratory symptoms were reported by 65% of firefighters. The percentage sputum granulocytes increased from 6.5% to 10.9% (p<0.02) following firefighting shifts with concurrent increases in circulating white blood cells (5.55x10⁹ to 7.06x10⁹ cells·L^-1, p<0.0001) and band cells (0.11x10⁹ to 0.16x10⁹ cells·L^-1, p<0.01). Serum IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 levels increased following firefighting (p<0.05). There were no changes in band cells, IL-6, and IL-8 following strenuous physical exertion without fire fighting. There was an association between changes in sputum macrophages containing phagocytosed particles and circulating band cells (p<0.05).

Acute exposure to air pollution from forest fire smoke elicits inflammation within the lungs as well as a systemic inflammatory response.

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