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

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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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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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In the news

The L.A. fires are contained, but the harm to people’s brains may linger
January 29, 2025 | The Washington Post | Featured: Joan Casey View

New research shows poor air quality could cause dementia
January 29, 2025 | KCBS Radio | Featured: Joan Casey View

Driving away from wildfires can be harrowing. Here’s what to do.
January 14, 2025 | The Washington Post | Featured: Joel D. Kaufman View

Where there’s fire, there’s smoke: Los Angeles blazes raise fears of ‘super toxic’ lung damage
January 13, 2025 | The Guardian | Featured: Joel D. Kaufman View

The flames from wildfires aren’t always the most dangerous part
January 10, 2025 | Salon | Featured: Joan Casey View