Grantee Research Project Results
Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions on reducing wildfire smoke exposure and health risks in low-income hard-to-reach communities in California
EPA Grant Number: R840240Title: Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions on reducing wildfire smoke exposure and health risks in low-income hard-to-reach communities in California
Investigators: Wong-Parodi, Gabrielle , Cho, Seung-Hyun
Institution: Stanford University , RTI International
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: September 1, 2021 through April 28, 2025
Project Amount: $999,846
RFA: Interventions and Communication Strategies to Reduce Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke Exposures (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Engineering , Watersheds , Wildfires
Objective:
In the American West, wildfire smoke exposure increasingly threatens the health of low-income hard-to-reach (i.e., non-English speaking) communities. Smoke exposure may result in immediate (coughing, wheezing, headaches) and long-term (asthma, cardiovascular events, stress and trauma) health consequences. Few studies have been done to assess the impact of technology and communications-based interventions on reductions in exposure to wildfire smoke and associated health risks, especially among low-income hard-to-reach populations in a behaviorally realistic context. We hypothesize that affordable technology- and native language messaging-based interventions decrease exposure to smoke and health risks among those who are low-income and Non-English speaking during wildfires.
Approach:
We propose a two-year longitudinal randomized controlled trial of 265 San Francisco Bay Area residents from low-income and non-English speaking communities in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. This comprehensive intervention study will test if and how much (1) app-delivered native language messaging, (2) air sealing, or (3) portable HEPA air filters, alone or in combination, can effectively reduce smoke exposure for particulate matter (PM) and health risks compared to (4) a control group and over time. We will also examine behavior as moderator of different interventions and as a response variable for the messaging intervention. The behavioral, exposure, and health data will be collected and communicated through an innovative combination of a smartphone app (Stanford Smoke Study App, built from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Smoke Sense platform) and air pollution exposure and health sensing devices (PurpleAir, RTI MicroPEM PM sensors; Emfit QS mattress sensor). This study will be conducted over at least two full wildfire seasons to assess the effect of cumulative exposure events. During wildfire smoke events, perceived threat, smoke relevant behaviors, and self-reported health (mental health, respiratory ailments) will be assessed. Exposures (PM concentrations at personal, indoor, and outdoor levels; indoor/outdoor ratio; and duration) and sleep quality will also be monitored and compared pre- and during wildfire season.
Expected Results:
The results of this study will identify affordable and actionable intervention steps for individuals and communities, and inform policies, programs and risk communication strategies for community partners, local governments, and local/state agencies that are behaviorally realistic for the hard-to-reach communities that they serve. Methods, results, and lessons learned from this project can be used to conduct future evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions for wildfire smoke exposure in other settings (e.g., multi-family, work placess, etc.) and among other hard-to-reach populations (e.g., rural communities, reservations, etc.) in California and beyond.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 5 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Wildfire Smoke; Exposure; Interventions; Risk CommunicationProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.