Serum pneumoproteins in firefighters

Abstract

Serum Clara cell protein (CC16) and surfactant-associated protein A (SP-A) were measured in a cross-sectional study in 402 firefighters. For the population as a whole, no associations were detected between serum pneumoproteins and smoke exposure. SP-A levels were increased in symptomatic subjects exposed to fire smoke within 2 days before testing. SP-A levels were higher after an inhalation incident ever. CC16 was negatively associated with the number of fires fought in the last 12 months in current nonsmokers. These associations between pneumoprotein levels reiterate the importance of adequate use of self-contained breathing apparatus by firefighters.

Keywords::

• Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
• Clara cell protein
• surfactant-associated protein A

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the personnel of the fire brigades of the provinces Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe for their cooperation in this study. In addition, the authors thank Renee Lokman, Theresia Offinga, Ellen Kreeft, Elzo Gankema, Ester de Vries, Maria Smith, Reina Niestijl, Roelina Smid, Walburga Gulker, Harriëtte Smidt, Elly van der Esch, Yvonne Valkema, Margriet van der Eems, Tessa Bakker, Jacqueline Aalfs, Mischa Zengeni, Els Greven, and Ali Karimi for their contribution to the field work.

Declaration of interest

This study was supported in part by grant for project number 7135.0005 from the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMW, The Hague). The authors report no declarations of interest.