Officials warn wildland firefighters about the risks of using a supplement for smoke exposure
Fire and medical officials have issued warnings about a supplement offered to Western wildland firefighters who have been exposed to toxic chemicals while battling some of the country's biggest blazes.
Officials are cautioning wildland firefighters about the potential dangers of a supplement called glutathione used to counteract smoke exposure. Glutathione, delivered via IV or a nebulizer machine, hasn't been proven safe or effective and may lead to illness if contaminated during production. Two pharmacies had to recall the supplement in August due to bacterial contamination, and reports of people experiencing symptoms like fever, chills, and severe headaches surfaced.
The International Association of Firefighters issued a safety advisory against using this supplement without further research due to its lack of FDA approval. Glutathione is an antioxidant produced by the liver that neutralizes unstable molecules causing cellular damage. While there might be a biological link between antioxidants and mitigating oxidative stress caused by wildfire smoke, there is no clinical evidence supporting the use of glutathione in this context.
Some firefighters claim it alleviates symptoms of toxic smoke inhalation, but adverse effects such as airway constriction and severe injection reactions have been reported when contaminated. Given the extreme conditions firefighters face, medical treatments must be thoroughly evaluated to prevent unintended consequences.
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