Acute controlled wood smoke exposure induces sensory airway irritation without detectable changes in small airway mechanics in healthy adults: A randomized crossover study
Abstract
Background: Residential wood combustion is a major source of ambient particulate matter in Northern Europe and is associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes. However, the acute effects of short-term wood smoke exposure on small airways remain incompletely characterized.
Objective: To investigate the acute effects of controlled wood smoke exposure on airway function in healthy adults, with specific emphasis on small airway mechanics, spirometry, and respiratory symptoms.
Methods: In a randomized, double-blind crossover-designed study, 14 healthy non-smoking adults (11 men, 3 women; mean age 26 years) underwent 2-h chamber exposures, under two occasions, to wood smoke (PM1: 453 ± 13 μg/m3) and to filtered air separated by a three-weeks washout period. Lung function was assessed before and after each session using Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT, tremoFlo®) and spirometry. Symptoms were recorded on a modified Borg scale at 30-min intervals.
Results: Exposure to wood smoke significantly elicited nasal irritation (p = 0.003) and showed trends toward increased cough and unpleasant odor perception. No exposure-specific changes were detected in spirometric parameters or oscillometric resistance parameters (R5, R5-R19, R5-R20). Reactance (X5) and resonant frequency (Fres) showed significant time-dependent changes irrespective to exposure condition (p < 0.001 and p = 0.022, respectively).
Conclusions: Short-term controlled wood smoke exposure induced sensory upper airway…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 11 participants or records.
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