F10: Rethinking Firefighter Particulate Matter Exposure Across Fire Scenarios
_Chen_3322.JPG "Photo of Yi-Hsuan (Amelia) Chen")
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, TX
USA
Jooyeon Hwang, PhD, CIH
Student Moderator
The University of Texas Health Center at Houston
Houston, TX
USA
The University of Texas Health Center at Houston
Houston, TX
USA
Tue, 6/2: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Student Presentations
Student Presentations
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center
Room: Nexus Lounge - Booth 1601
Description
Rethinking Firefighter Particulate Matter Exposure Across Fire Scenarios: Integrating Size-Resolved Aerosols and Urinary Metal Biomarkers
Presenter: Yi-Hsuan (Amelia) Chen1, PhD, MS
Faculty Advisors: Hwang, Jooyeon1, PhD, CIH, Associate Professor
Affiliation: School of Public Health, UTHealth, Houston
Co-Authors: Yongjun Gao2, Spencer Chichester1, Qianjiang Li3, Jack Tsai4, Kristina D. Mena1, Jooyeon Hwang1
1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
2. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Inductively Coupled Plasma Research Laboratory, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
3. Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
4. Department of Management, Policy, and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston
Background:
Firefighters experience substantial exposure to particulate matter (PM) during fire suppression, creating hidden but significant occupational health risks. Conventional mass-based metrics may underestimate biologically relevant doses, particularly from ultrafine particles. Understanding the true scale of these exposures is vital to protecting first responders.
Objective:
This study characterized PM exposures across wildland, structural, and fire academy training in Houston, Texas, and evaluated associations with post-exposure urinary metal biomarkers. Real-time aerosol monitoring was conducted using a Portable Aerosol Mobility Spectrometer (PAMS), Q-Trak XP, and SidePak AM520 to quantify size distributions (0.1–10 µm), mass fractions, and particle number concentrations. Post-activity urine samples were analyzed for metal elements using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Results:
Elevated PM concentrations were observed across all fire scenarios, with wildland fires generating the highest exposures. Small particles (<2.5 µm) accounted for more than 97% of total particle counts, while only minimal numbers of coarse particles (>10 µm) were detected. Although mass concentrations varied by fire scenario, concentrations of particles - especially for small particles - demonstrated stronger and more consistent positive correlations with urinary trace metals (R² = 0.73) than traditional mass-based metrics (R² = 0.02). Instrument comparisons revealed size-dependent measurement differences (p<0.05) across all fire scenarios.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that firefighter PM exposure is fire scenario-dependent and dominated by ultrafine particles. Reliance solely on mass-based metrics may underestimate health-relevant exposure. Integrating multi-metric aerosol monitoring with biomarker analysis improves internal dose assessment and supports incorporating particle number metrics into occupational
Presenter: Yi-Hsuan (Amelia) Chen1, PhD, MS
Faculty Advisors: Hwang, Jooyeon1, PhD, CIH, Associate Professor
Affiliation: School of Public Health, UTHealth, Houston
Co-Authors: Yongjun Gao2, Spencer Chichester1, Qianjiang Li3, Jack Tsai4, Kristina D. Mena1, Jooyeon Hwang1
1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
2. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Inductively Coupled Plasma Research Laboratory, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
3. Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
4. Department of Management, Policy, and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston
Background:
Firefighters experience substantial exposure to particulate matter (PM) during fire suppression, creating hidden but significant occupational health risks. Conventional mass-based metrics may underestimate biologically relevant doses, particularly from ultrafine particles. Understanding the true scale of these exposures is vital to protecting first responders.
Objective:
This study characterized PM exposures across wildland, structural, and fire academy training in Houston, Texas, and evaluated associations with post-exposure urinary metal biomarkers. Real-time aerosol monitoring was conducted using a Portable Aerosol Mobility Spectrometer (PAMS), Q-Trak XP, and SidePak AM520 to quantify size distributions (0.1–10 µm), mass fractions, and particle number concentrations. Post-activity urine samples were analyzed for metal elements using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Results:
Elevated PM concentrations were observed across all fire scenarios, with wildland fires generating the highest exposures. Small particles (<2.5 µm) accounted for more than 97% of total particle counts, while only minimal numbers of coarse particles (>10 µm) were detected. Although mass concentrations varied by fire scenario, concentrations of particles - especially for small particles - demonstrated stronger and more consistent positive correlations with urinary trace metals (R² = 0.73) than traditional mass-based metrics (R² = 0.02). Instrument comparisons revealed size-dependent measurement differences (p<0.05) across all fire scenarios.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that firefighter PM exposure is fire scenario-dependent and dominated by ultrafine particles. Reliance solely on mass-based metrics may underestimate health-relevant exposure. Integrating multi-metric aerosol monitoring with biomarker analysis improves internal dose assessment and supports incorporating particle number metrics into occupational
Learning Outcomes
Following the presentation, participant will be able to:
• Differentiate between mass-based and number-based particulate matter (PM) metrics to more accurately characterize inhalation hazards during diverse firefighting scenarios.
• Evaluate the limitations of traditional gravimetric-based monitoring when assessing occupational exposure to fine and ultrafine particles.
• Correlate real-time, size-resolved aerosol data with urinary metal biomarkers to identify the specific PM fractions most relevant to biological absorption and internal dose.
• Compare the performance and measurement biases of various direct-reading instruments, including mobility spectrometers and optical particle counters, in high-concentration fire environments.
• Prioritize multi-metric monitoring strategies to enhance exposure assessment protocols and better inform long-term health surveillance for firefighters.
• Design comprehensive sampling plans that integrate air monitoring with biomonitoring to bridge the gap between external exposure and internal physiological burden.
• Differentiate between mass-based and number-based particulate matter (PM) metrics to more accurately characterize inhalation hazards during diverse firefighting scenarios.
• Evaluate the limitations of traditional gravimetric-based monitoring when assessing occupational exposure to fine and ultrafine particles.
• Correlate real-time, size-resolved aerosol data with urinary metal biomarkers to identify the specific PM fractions most relevant to biological absorption and internal dose.
• Compare the performance and measurement biases of various direct-reading instruments, including mobility spectrometers and optical particle counters, in high-concentration fire environments.
• Prioritize multi-metric monitoring strategies to enhance exposure assessment protocols and better inform long-term health surveillance for firefighters.
• Design comprehensive sampling plans that integrate air monitoring with biomonitoring to bridge the gap between external exposure and internal physiological burden.
Core Competencies
Chemical Sampling and Instrumental Analysis
Exposure Assessment
Keywords
Aerosol and airborne particulate monitoring
Asbestos, lead, and dust
Exposure Assessment
Indoor air quality
Real-time detection services and direct reading instruments
Session Availability
In-person
OnDemand
Specialized Tracks
Student and Early Career Professional Track
Targeted Audience
Professional