Investigating the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure in urban areas
Official title: Wildland Urban Interface Exposure Toxicity in Cells, Animals, and Humans
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11058523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breathing in smoke from wildfires can affect people’s health, especially those living in cities close to forests, by checking how it impacts conditions like asthma and bronchitis, so we can better understand the risks and help keep everyone safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | March 20, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $677,273 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES035878-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in areas prone to wildfires who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in wildfire-prone areas or do not have respiratory conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how exposure to wildfire smoke affects human health, particularly in urban areas near wildland interfaces. The team will study the impacts of smoke on respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis by using advanced methods to measure harmful chemicals in simulated wildfire scenarios. They will conduct experiments on cells, animals, and humans to identify biological changes and health risks associated with smoke exposure. The goal is to develop predictive models for health risks related to wildfire smoke exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of health risks associated with wildfire smoke exposure, ultimately improving patient care and public health responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that exposure to wildfire smoke can significantly impact respiratory health, indicating that this study builds on established findings while exploring new methodologies.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rager, Julia — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Rager, Julia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.