Air Quality Research Center Content

Long-Term Study on Health Impacts of Los Angeles Wildfires Launched

Katherine E Kerlin — January 31, 2025 - 12:10pm

In an unprecedented collective scientific effort to understand the short- and long-term health impacts of wildfires, researchers from four universities have launched a 10-year study of the Los Angeles fires. The wildfires that began in early January 2025 killed 29 people, destroyed more than 16,000 structures, and exposed millions to toxic smoke.

The research aims to evaluate which pollutants are present, at what levels, and where, and to assess the respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, reproductive, and immune system impacts of the wildfires.

Coal Train Pollution Increases Health Risks and Disparities

Katherine E Kerlin — April 18, 2024 - 11:00am

The first health impact study of coal train pollution centers on the San Francisco Bay Area, with UC Davis scientists finding communities near passing coal trains suffer worse health outcomes.

Capturing Carbon From Power Plants and the Atmosphere

Malia N Reiss — April 11, 2024 - 12:14pm

The realities of climate change are around us — replete with the sight of melting glaciers and raging wildfires. Scientists have long documented that greenhouse gas emissions are the most significant drivers of global warming and climate change.

Coal Trains Increase Air Pollution in San Francisco Bay Area

Katherine E Kerlin — April 27, 2023 - 9:00am

A UC Davis study based in the Bay Area is the first to quantify coal train pollution in the urban U.S, indicating environmental justice concerns for Richmond and Oakland.