The authors declare that they have no financial competing interest.
Research Article
Acute respiratory effects in firefighters†
Article first published online: 29 SEP 2011
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.21012
Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Greven, F. E., Krop, E. J., Spithoven, J. J., Burger, N., Rooyackers, J. M., Kerstjens, H. A., van der Heide, S. and Heederik, D. J. (2012), Acute respiratory effects in firefighters. Am. J. Ind. Med., 55: 54–62. doi: 10.1002/ajim.21012
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 DEC 2011
- Article first published online: 29 SEP 2011
- Manuscript Accepted: 29 AUG 2011
Funded by
- The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMW, The Hague). Grant Number: 7135.0005
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- bronchial hyperresponsiveness;
- serum pneumoproteins;
- cytokines;
- inflammation;
- firefighters
Abstract
Background
Associations between acute respiratory inflammatory responses, changes in bronchial hyperresponsiveness, serum pneumoprotein levels, and exposure to fire smoke were studied.
Methods
The study comprised 51 firefighters. Blood samples were taken within 24 hr following exposure to fire smoke, and after a week and 3 months. Sputum was induced within 5 days post-exposure and subjects underwent spirometry and methacholine provocation one week post-exposure. Exposure was registered by a questionnaire.
Results
No changes were observed following smoke exposure in bronchial hyperresponsiveness and serum pneumoprotein levels. Nevertheless, in a sizable proportion of the firefighters (44%) elevated sputum neutrophil levels (≥60%) were found. Serum IL-8 concentrations were higher 24 hr post-exposure compared to pre-exposure. Elevated neutrophil levels in sputum were associated with elevated serum IL-8 (β = 0.010, P = 0.004) and TNFα (β = 0.005, P = 0.034) levels within 24 hr post-exposure and IL-8 elevation lasted up to 3 months.
Conclusions
Acute exposure to fire smoke induces acute neutrophilic airway and long-lasting systemic inflammation in healthy firefighters in the absence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:54–62, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.