Deployment of military personnel has been associated with increased respiratory illness
likely due, in part, to inhalation of unusual particulate matter (PM), such as from burn
pits. Inflammation is a key initial response to inhaled particulates. The researchers have
developed a protocol using inhaled wood smoke particles (WSP) as a way to study PM-induced
airway inflammation. Exposure to wood smoke particles causes symptoms, even in healthy
people, such as eye irritation, cough, shortness of breath, and increased mucous production.
The purpose of this research study is to see if an oral steroid treatment can reduce the
airway inflammation caused by the inhaled WSP. The exposure will be 500 µg/m³ of WSP for 2
hours, with intermittent exercise on a bicycle and rest. The wood is burned in a typical wood
stove and piped into the chamber.