Clean Air

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Sunrise over mountains
Investigating how air pollution impacts health

Clean air research in the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences explores how air pollution is associated with health risks like heart and lung diseases, high blood pressure, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, with a special focus on the impacts on vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly and low-income communities. 

We work with new technologies and strategies to identify pollution hot spots and measure exposure, using approaches to help communities understand the impact of wildfire smoke on health. 

Our faculty works closely with our students to train and mentor them in clean air research. 

Research spotlight

Marissa Childs stands smiling in front of a campus building.

Tackling climate change by the numbers

From infectious diseases to wildfire smoke, new faculty member Marissa Childs predicts how climate change will influence health

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A doctor takes a child's blood pressure (only the doctor's hands and the child's arm and side of face are visible). On a table are the blood pressure monitor and a teething ring.

Air pollution linked with high blood pressure in kids

Children exposed to common air pollutant in the womb and infancy may be at higher risk for elevated blood pressure, DEOHS research finds

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Rachel Sklar smiles while standing in a room with a bookshelf of books behind her.

Looking out for “invisible” workers

New DEOHS Assistant Professor Rachel Sklar sparks solutions for marginalized workers and communities

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