title: Acute upper and lower respiratory effects in wildland firefighters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess acute respiratory effects experienced by wildland firefighters.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied two Interagency Hotshot Crews with questionnaires, spirometry, and measurement of albumin, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) as indicators of inflammation in sputum and nasal lavage fluid. Assessments were made preseason, postfire, and postseason.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-eight members of the two crews had at least two assessments. Mean upper and lower respiratory symptom scores were higher postfire compared to preseason (P < 0.001). The mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second was lower postfire compared to preseason (P < 0.001) and then recovered by postseason. Individual increases in sputum and nasal ECP and MPO from preseason to postfire were all significantly associated with postfire respiratory symptom scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wildland firefighting was associated with upper and lower respiratory symptoms and reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Within individuals, symptoms were associated with increased ECP and MPO in sputum and nasal lavage fluid. The long-term respiratory health impact of wildland firefighting, especially over multiple fire seasons, remains an important concern.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. mail: dug5@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Denise M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gaughan
authors.forename: Jean M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cox-Ganser
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Enright
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Castellan
authors.forename: Gregory R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Gerald R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Toni A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Bledsoe
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kreiss
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Weissman
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers