Firefighters say this antioxidant helped them - their union warns it could be risky

September 12, 2026

Following the devastating Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, firefighters experiencing severe symptoms from smoke exposure have increasingly turned to glutathione, an antioxidant naturally produced by the body, as a potential treatment. The substance has been offered at major wildfires across the United States by volunteer groups like the Integrated Health Action Network, with some firefighters reporting immediate symptom relief from issues like chronic coughing, headaches, and fatigue. However, the International Association of Fire Fighters recently issued a warning about the treatment, citing contamination concerns at compounding pharmacies and the complete absence of rigorous scientific research proving its safety or effectiveness.

Who is affected

Firefighters who battled the Eaton Fire and other major wildfires across the United States
Captain David Marquez and his Pasadena fire team
Over 360,000 firefighters represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) in the US and Canada
Volunteer clinicians from the Integrated Health Action Network (IHAN)
Firefighters in Spokane, Washington and Santa Rosa, California
Compounding pharmacies that produce glutathione

What action is being taken

The Integrated Health Action Network is sending volunteer clinicians to major wildfires to provide glutathione treatments, acupuncture, and massage therapy
The IAFF is warning firefighters about potential risks associated with glutathione use
IHAN is collecting anecdotal data from their treatment programs
Fire chiefs in Spokane are including suggestions about visiting volunteer treatment tents in morning briefings to crews

Why it matters

Firefighters face a 14% increased risk of dying from cancer compared to the general American population due to toxic smoke exposure, making effective treatments critically important. The growing use of glutathione represents a significant public health concern because desperate firefighters suffering from severe symptoms are turning to an unproven treatment that lacks peer-reviewed research on its safety and long-term effects. The situation highlights the tension between firefighters' urgent need for relief from debilitating symptoms and the medical community's responsibility to ensure treatments are safe and effective before widespread adoption.

What's next

IHAN has offered to work with researchers to prove glutathione's effectiveness and is hopeful their collected data will spur further research to establish whether it is a viable long-term solution for firefighters.

Read full article from source: BBC