Lungs on Fire Study

Wildfire smoke (WFS) is the leading climate-related risk in Canada and the main source of harmful air pollution. While short-term breathing problems caused by smoke are well known, there is limited knowledge about how repeated exposure contributes to long-term lung disease. This study is a controlled human exposure to varying concentrations of WFS in a safe setting. By comparing the effects of different concentrations, the research will improve understanding of health impacts, identify who may be most vulnerable, and explore biological changes that could lead to chronic illness.

Participants will attend a screening visit followed by three one-week study periods over the course of approximately 12 weeks. During each study period, participants will be exposed to either filtered air or different levels of wood smoke in a controlled laboratory setting while researchers measure changes in lung function, inflammation, and other health markers using breathing tests, blood and urine samples, nasal and sputum samples, questionnaires, and MRI scans.

The findings from this study will help improve our understanding of the health impacts of wildfire smoke and may contribute to better strategies for protecting people from air pollution in the future.