In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing organ inflammation or failure such as pulmonary inflammation comprising administering a heme scavenger such as hemopexin to a subject in need thereof. The subject may be diagnosed with higher than normal levels of protein-free plasma heme or a hemolytic disorder such as sickle cell disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, or paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria or acute lung injury or acute chest syndrome. Typically, the hemopexin is recombinant human hemopexin.
