Current Issues Related to Combustion Byproducts & Human Health: A Summary of the 18th International PIC Congress

The 18th International Congress on Combustion Byproducts and Human Health Effects (PIC2024) was held in Durham, North Carolina on May 20th-22nd, 2024. The overall goal of this conference, typically organized biannually, is to bring together scholars and researchers from diverse fields including chemistry, toxicology, engineering, epidemiology, and occupational and public health, and from various sectors (academia, government, and industry) to engage on new and emerging issues related to combustion processes, human exposure, and potential health risks. The theme of the 18th International Congress was "Fire Emissions & Community Impacts at the Wildland Urban Interface and Disaster Sites." Specific focus and emphasis was placed on new research concerning wildland fires, climate change, firefighter exposures, and data collected following the East Palestine train derailment in Ohio. Plenary speakers included Drs. Toddi Steelman (Duke University), Daniel Jaffe (University of Washington), Miriam Calkins (NIOSH), Mark Durno (U.S. EPA), and Linda S. Birnbaum (NIEHS, retired). This report summarizes the primary research highlighted during the conference, major discussion points raised, and areas recommended for future research.