Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Research has shown that exposure to biomass smoke can lead to adverse health effects. However, the potential impacts of how wood smoke (WS) sources influence health outcomes are unknown. Wildfire and residential WS particulate matter (PM) are health risks to the general population, as well as a source of occupational exposure to those fighting wildfires. These different sources of WS likely constitute different hazards, especially in small mountain communities where wood or other solid fuels are easily accessible. In order to investigate the potential impacts following exposures to these different sources, the particles released during these different burning events were harvested and employed in an in vitro model to explore the potential effects on macrophage pro-inflammatory activity and cell viability. In the lung, macrophages are the front line of defense when inhaling foreign particles (e.g., dust, pathogens, etc.) and can trigger an immune response. This response is largely dependent on the source (or chemistry) of the inhaled particles. Determining the impact of these inhaled particles on macrophages will improve our understanding of how WS sources influence health.
Using a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system particle concentrator (VACES-PC), WS was harvested for the planned in vitro studies. Wildfire PM was harvested on the roof of the Skaggs building on the University of Montana’s campus downwind from a wildfire occurring just outside of Lolo, Montana in 2013. Wood stove WS particles were harvested from both an “old” wood stove and an EPA-certified wood stove chimney during burns. Each particle type was then concentrated into stock solutions. In a dose-response manner using a human cell line (THP-1 macrophages), cells were exposed to the three different sources of WS and controls (i.e. NIST 1648 standard for urban particulate matter and SiO2). Results demonstrate that wildfire WS is significantly more pro-inflammatory than particles from an “old” wood stove, an EPA-certified wood stove, and urban particulate matter. Also, other measures (i.e., endotoxin burden) show significant differences in source chemistry. These data suggest that the source of WS likely plays a significant role in health outcome.
Mentor Name
Tony Ward
The influence of wood smoke source on pro-inflammatory outcome
UC 332
Research has shown that exposure to biomass smoke can lead to adverse health effects. However, the potential impacts of how wood smoke (WS) sources influence health outcomes are unknown. Wildfire and residential WS particulate matter (PM) are health risks to the general population, as well as a source of occupational exposure to those fighting wildfires. These different sources of WS likely constitute different hazards, especially in small mountain communities where wood or other solid fuels are easily accessible. In order to investigate the potential impacts following exposures to these different sources, the particles released during these different burning events were harvested and employed in an in vitro model to explore the potential effects on macrophage pro-inflammatory activity and cell viability. In the lung, macrophages are the front line of defense when inhaling foreign particles (e.g., dust, pathogens, etc.) and can trigger an immune response. This response is largely dependent on the source (or chemistry) of the inhaled particles. Determining the impact of these inhaled particles on macrophages will improve our understanding of how WS sources influence health.
Using a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system particle concentrator (VACES-PC), WS was harvested for the planned in vitro studies. Wildfire PM was harvested on the roof of the Skaggs building on the University of Montana’s campus downwind from a wildfire occurring just outside of Lolo, Montana in 2013. Wood stove WS particles were harvested from both an “old” wood stove and an EPA-certified wood stove chimney during burns. Each particle type was then concentrated into stock solutions. In a dose-response manner using a human cell line (THP-1 macrophages), cells were exposed to the three different sources of WS and controls (i.e. NIST 1648 standard for urban particulate matter and SiO2). Results demonstrate that wildfire WS is significantly more pro-inflammatory than particles from an “old” wood stove, an EPA-certified wood stove, and urban particulate matter. Also, other measures (i.e., endotoxin burden) show significant differences in source chemistry. These data suggest that the source of WS likely plays a significant role in health outcome.