Day after aiding in suppressing the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, Fire Captain David Marquez inhaled his first dose of glutathione near the Rose Bowl stadium. The wildfire, the second most destructive ever in California, killed 19 people and destroyed 9,000 buildings.
Marquez reported that his team suffered sleepless nights, chronic cough, headaches and fatigue—the familiar toll of smoke exposure. He said, "I felt much better immediately after the worst exposure of my career." He and several crew members were desperate enough to try anything that might help.
Scientific research confirms that inhaling toxic smoke can increase the risk of several cancers; firefighters face a 14% higher chance of dying from cancer than the general population, according to the US National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety.
Glutathione, a naturally produced antioxidant, has been offered at major U.S. wildfires—including the recent Spokane fire—and anecdotal reports suggest it may help expel cancer‑causing chemicals. Yet no large‑scale study has evaluated its safety or effectiveness.
The International Association of Fire Fighters issued a warning last month after two compounding pharmacies recalled contaminated glutathione products. It also noted that other vitamins studied in other trials can increase cancer risk, raising concerns about glutathione’s long‑term impact.
Sean DeCrane, assistant to IAFF’s president for health and safety, said, "We don't know if glutathione is affective," and added that there is "no evidence of its long‑term safety." He condemned the marketing of the treatment, which in Spokane was promoted through volunteer tents at crew briefings.
Co‑founder Jen Riegle of IHAN, a naturopath, claims that glutathione often yields clinically‑meaningful improvements in headaches, fatigue and brain fog among firefighters. She warned that the data IHAN has collected are anecdotal and not yet peer‑reviewed clinical trials.
In Sacramento, some firefighters testified that glutathione helped them after the California Board of Pharmacy’s proposed restrictions would severely limit its production. The plan was withdrawn after community pushback.
Dr. Coralynn Sack, an occupational pulmonologist, explained that while antioxidants show biological plausibility as a countermeasure to wildfire smoke, the existing data are underwhelming. She stresses that providing reliable personal protective equipment remains the most proven strategy to reduce cancer risk.
Fire captain Greg Fonts, a veteran of the National Forest Service, notes that a cultural shift has brought health to the fore. He has personally used glutathione, but he emphasizes the importance of evidence‑based protocols and highlights the growing acceptance of rigorous research among younger firefighters.
Ultimately, the debate over glutathione spotlights the broader issue of occupational health policy lagging behind the realities of wildfire hazards and the urgent need for well‑designed clinical trials in the firefighting community.
