The health effects of wildfire smoke

Worker approaches a blazing wildfire in a forest.

DEOHS wildfire experts are investigating how smoke affects our health and strategies to reduce its impacts

 

DEOHS wildfire smoke experts were featured in a recent webinar hosted by the UW School of Public Health

Wildfires are natural and inevitable in our forestlands. Climate change is making our wildfire seasons longer, hotter and more dangerous.

The UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) has a long history of leading research into the impacts of wildfires on human health.

Through our research and outreach activities, DEOHS faculty and students are building our understanding of how wildfire smoke can damage our health and the best ways to protect people and communities from harm.

Learn about our impact, research and expertise below.

Our impact

A woman holds a small blood collection device against her upper arm.

Sparking biochemical insights into wildfire smoke exposure

Spurred on by EDGE Center grant, UW Professor Ashleigh Theberge's home blood-sampling system examines impacts of wildfire smoke 

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Person in a sweatshirt picking apples

Protecting crop workers under the sun and smoke

DEOHS research in agriculture industry aims to increase worker health and safety in heat and wildfire smoke

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Mike Yost stands at a lectern, facing a crowd (not visible). He wears a dark jacket and purple tie. In the background is a tall banner.

Leading with community as a North Star

DEOHS Chair Michael Yost steps down after 10 years 

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Yijie Geng, Diana Ceballos and Karen Chen stand in front of a mountain slope and trees.

New DEOHS faculty tour Washington state

Three new DEOHS faculty connect with communities and their environmental health concerns on UW Faculty Field Tour

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Hazy skies with a halo around the sun above mountains, evergreens and a hillside.

DEOHS targets emerging health threats with new population health awards

DEOHS researchers and partners awarded grants to tackle extreme cold, sea level rise, combined heat and smoke, and zoonotic disease

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An oil drilling rig backlit by smoky skies at sunset with windmills in the background.

Wildfires increasingly threaten oil and gas drill sites

Some 3 million people could face compounded health risks in coming decades as a result, according to new study

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In the news

Amid high asthma rates, Snohomish County seeks climate solutions
October 12, 2024 | The Everett Herald | Featured: Joel D. Kaufman, Catherine Karr View

Farm safety advocates talk physical, mental health
September 25, 2024 | Capital Press | Featured: Edward Kasner View

What to expect from the rest of wildfire season…and how to stay safe
September 18, 2024 | KQED | Featured: Joan Casey View

How researchers measure wildfire smoke exposure doesn’t capture long-term health effects − and hides racial disparities
September 16, 2024 | The Conversation | Featured: Joan Casey View

Wildfire smoke can hurt you in surprising ways
August 26, 2024 | Bloomberg | Featured: Joan Casey View