After the 2026 Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, veteran firefighter David Marquez said he felt “immediately better” after inhaling glutathione. Marquez, who has worked on the front lines for more than 25 years, explains that he and his fellow crew were coping with chronic cough, headaches and fatigue that had been dragging them for days.
Glutathione is a naturally produced antioxidant that has become popular in recent western wildfires. Naturopathic clinics like the Integrated Health Action Network (IHAN) offer it to crews on the ground, claiming it helps flush carcinogenic chemicals out of firefighters’ bodies. The treatment, however, has never undergone a large‑scale clinical trial.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) – representing over 360,000 firefighters – issued a rare warning last month. The union cited two recalls of contaminated glutathione produced by compounding pharmacies. According to the IAFF, some studies have shown that other vitamins can raise cancer risk, and the organization stresses that there is no evidence glutathione actually lowers risk.
IAFF spokesperson Sean DeCrane said, “We don’t know if it’s effective or a placebo. The long‑term effect of this type of treatment is unknown.” He added that the union opposes the “marketed” approach that has encouraged firefighters to try glutathione without a doctor’s supervision.
Experts warn that the debate may distract from proven protective measures. Dr. Coralynn Sack, an occupational pulmonologist at the University of Washington, noted that more research is needed and that glutathione should not replace proper respiratory protection and decontamination protocols.
Despite the union’s caution, Marquez insists he feels healthier after the treatment. He describes his experience as “not a placebo – it was working.” Many firefighters have voiced their own anecdotal evidence, while others remain skeptical, noting side effects that might stem from heavy metal exposure or impurities in the product.
