Biological changes in firefighters' urine and blood seen 24 hours after fighting a fire
Researchers at UTHealth Houston have identified significant biological changes in the blood and urine of firefighters within 24 hours of exposure to fire smoke. The study highlights specific protein shifts that may serve as early indicators for cancer risk in this high-risk profession.
Why it matters
Understanding these immediate biological responses could lead to better health monitoring and early cancer detection protocols for firefighters exposed to hazardous chemicals.
by Jeannette Sanchez, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from 30 firefighters before and after fire exposure to better understand how the body immediately responds. Credit: UTHealth Houston New research from UTHealth Houston found firefighters experience measurable biological changes in their blood and urine within 24 hours of fighting a fire—changes that may help identify early cancer risk, the leading cause of death among firefighters.
The study was published in Environment & Health and led by Jooyeon Hwang, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.
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