Wildfires in the Wildland Urban Interface: A Growing Public Health Challenge
Chemical Insights Research Institute
Providing scientific research and best practices to ensure a safer, healthier tomorrow.
Welcome to Foresight, the monthly newsletter of the Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) of UL Research Institutes (ULRI).??
Our topic this month is?Wildfires in the Wildland Urban Interface?(WUI), as we dive into the public health impacts of wildfires in the WUI, the importance of characterizing pollutants of WUI fires, and the research being done by CIRI to clearly define and further scientific knowledge on the issue. First, here are a few key announcements:? As you might notice, this edition of Foresight has an updated appearance. Our new look mirrors the dynamic changes happening within our company’s rebranding journey as we recognize our parent company, UL Research Institutes. We’re excited to continue delivering the insightful content you expect, just with a fresh feel. ?
Please join us on June 13, 2024, from 2 – 3 p.m. ET for the second session of CIRI’s 2024 webinar series?Building Resilience for Health. In this installment, “Understanding Wildfires in the Wildland Urban Interface, the Built Environment, and Public Health,” our panel of experts will delve into the unique toxicity of WUI fires and share helpful strategies to prepare communities and mitigate risks.
Register Now: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Check out our newly introduced Instagram?@CIRIScience?for engaging educational content on our research topics. Starting with PFAS and Wildfires in the WUI, we will present the issues and lead you through the research processes, findings, and suggested strategies for reducing human health risks.?
Wildfires in the WUI: A Growing Public Health Challenge
As the climate changes, increases in the frequency and intensity of wildfires expose millions of people to unhealthy and hazardous air every year, for days or even months at a time. These natural disasters are a mounting threat, especially impacting communities in the WUI where the built environment and natural wildland meet or intermix. WUI fires release complex chemical and particulate mixtures from the burning of materials found in urban landscapes including synthetic building and furnishing materials, modern vehicles, and consumer electronics. The resulting smoke plumes can travel hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles, affecting people outside the initial area of impact. CIRI is committed to this significant area of research due to its growing effects on human health and air quality.?
Dust and Ash Research in Hawaii's Burn-Impacted Areas
In August 2023, the WUI community of Lahaina was devastated by raging wildfires that burned through the town. In partnership with Duke University and the East-West Center, CIRI is conducting research on burn-impacted and non-impacted areas of Maui, collecting and analyzing residual dust, soil and ash samples. CIRI’s objective is to further understand contamination left by WUI fires and how it is linked to specific sources such as vehicles, building materials and appliances. There is concern that residue from WUI fires can infiltrate nearby homes, businesses, and schools, leaving populations at risk of pollutant exposure with acute and chronic health consequences. Understanding the scope of contamination left behind by WUI fires can help determine the extent of human health risks and develop community clean up and land reuse strategies. Read more about the Lahaina Environmental Assessment Project (LEAP): “Chemical Insights Research Institute Partners with Duke University and the East-West Center to Examine Dust and Ash from Devastating Hawaiian Wildfires.”?
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A Closer Look at CIRI's WUI Fire Research Initiative
The complex mixture of hazardous substances left in the wake of WUI fires requires robust characterization to comprehensively evaluate fire-related exposures. Pollutants of concern found in fire residues can include fine respirable particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals. CIRI aims to create a foundational data set on fire-associated pollutants that may adversely affect acute and chronic health outcomes. Using CIRI’s innovative Dust VOC (DVOC)TM?methodology, researchers can measure a vast range of residual VOCs left behind in settled dust. CIRI researchers are also combining analytical chemistry techniques with spatial mapping to correlate trends of pollutant concentration in samples with distance from point-source locations. Review the full technical brief: “A Strategic Research Initiative on Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Fires and Community Health in Maui.”?
Advancing Research with Innovative DVOC Methodology
CIRI has developed a new DVOC?methodology that circumvents limitations found in traditional organic chemical analysis. While other research groups have shown this method of analysis for dust samples is possible, CIRI is advancing this technique to specifically characterize hazardous VOCs present in settled dust and environmental residues. Deciphering the chemical makeup of dust and residues, especially resulting from a WUI fire, will allow for a better understanding of pollution sources, exposure pathways, and associated human health impacts. Read more about CIRI’s cutting edge methodology: “A Strategic Research Initiative on the Development of a Dust Volatile Organic Compound Method for Chemical Characterization of Settled Dust and Environmental Residues.”?
Stay Connected
Through our research findings and outreach initiatives, CIRI provides science for a safer, healthier tomorrow. Stay connected for research updates on our wildfire and wildland urban interface research. Visit our?website?and follow us on social media to learn more and find resources to protect human health.???
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