Data Science Research Bazaar Hosts Inaugural UW-Madison Open Awards
Tracey Holloway and Jenny Bratburd were recognized by University of Wisconsin-Madison Open Hall of Fame, recognizing their work to advance open science through leadership of the NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team (HAQAST).
A Highway Pileup in Western Kansas Shows How Dust Storms Can Turn Deadly
A recent highway pileup in western Kansas highlights the history of dust storms causing fatalities. Daniel Tong is quoted in the AP article, stating that dust storms are frequent and widespread enough across the U.S., that it would be beneficial to educate drivers on what to do in a dust storm.
How Earth Intelligence Can Help Improve Air Quality and Respiratory Health
HAQAST is mentioned in the GEO Health Community of Practice’s recent blog post, which discusses the use of Earth Intelligence – satellite observations, remote sensing and environmental data – and how they can help understanding air quality monitoring knowledge gaps.
Satellite Data May Be Key To Uncovering Dangerous Nitrogen Dioxide Hotspots in U.S. Communities
The American Lung Association just released their “Something in the Air: Nitrogen Dioxide and Community Health” report which examines the use of satellite data to evaluate the health impact of nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Is Fire Activity Declining in Northwestern India?
Pawan Gupta is quoted in the NASA Earth Observatory article, discussing fire data in Northwestern India, and suggests using caution when interpreting year-to-year variability in observations using fire data from satellites.
Satellites Can Help Track Movement of Smoke From LA Wildfires, Says Anenberg
In an interview with CNN This Morning Weekend, PI Susan Anenberg emphasized the benefits of using computing systems to track California’s wildfire smoke, along with how to stay safe from possible health effects of smoke exposure.
Major Smoke Events Impact Mental Health, Explains Dr. Yang Liu
HAQAST PI Yang Liu describes takeaways from his 2024 study, which found that exposure to wildfire smoke led to greater rates of emergency department visits for anxiety disorders. Major smoke events – such as the recent Los Angeles wildfires – significantly amplified the risk in the study, says Liu. Read the full study here.
Susan Anenberg Describes Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke as LA Fires Rage
This article by The Washington Post includes an interview with HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg, who describes the short- and long-term concerns of biological harm associated with the recent California wildfires. “Once [PM2.5 particulates are] in the bloodstream, they can affect every organ of the body,” Anenberg said.
Summary of the Second OMI-TROPOMI Science Team Meeting
HAQAST collaboratives attended the OMI-TROPOMI Science Team meeting, which was held June 3-6, 2024. Users of OMI and TROPOMI presented on a variety of topics to show how this data is being used to support numerous health and air quality applications.
Dr. Tracey Holloway Presents Broader Applications of Scientific Research in Notre Dame Seminar
In a recent installment of the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Seminar Series, UW Madison’s Tracey Holloway discussed lessons she’s learned as the HAQAST lead, along with the importance of applying atmospheric models to solve real-world problems.
The Lancet Releases Ninth Annual Climate Countdown Report on Health and Climate Change
The 2024 Climate Countdown, “Facing record-breaking threats from delayed action” was recently released with contibution from HAQAST PI Yang Liu. To learn about the report’s tracking of health and climate change, read the report or watch this visual summary.
ALA Releases “Something in the Air” Report: Bridging AQ Data Gap with Satellite Technology
The American Lung Association has released a new report that calls for various initiatives from government, along with individual actions, to overall improve human health related to poor air quality. The analysis of satellite-derived air quality data was conducted by HAQAST Lead, Dr. Tracey Holloway, and other members of the Holloway Group. Read the full report here.
HAQAST-Funded Air Quality Research Benefits Urban and Rural Communities in Alaska
A recent study accomplished through the help of PIs Jingqiu Mao and Pawan Gupta developed a method of quickly determining surface air quality during Alaska’s sometimes intense wildfire season. The method, which derives PM2.5 levels under high aerosol optical depth conditions, fills a major gap in Alaska’s air quality monitoring system.
This NASA article gives an overview of air quality, the Air Quality Index (AQI) measuring tool, AQ-related data products, and further resources to learn more.
Yang Liu Interviewed on Recent Study About Health Effects Related to LA Warehouse Pollution
In this article by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, HAQAST PI Yang Liu describes his contributions to a study on particulate concentration from LA warehouses in order to better understand how air pollution disproportionately effects underserved communities. Particulate pollution has been linked to a number of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Wisconsin’s Air Quality Continues to Improve, Explains Dr. Tracey Holloway
In an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), Dr. Holloway, Team Lead for HAQAST, said that the EPA’s tightened U.S. air quality regulations are improving local air quality. “We have instruments across the state measuring the air every hour of every day,” Holloway said.
Lead Scientist Pawan Gupta on Contributing Towards Forecasting Project, ZephAir
NASA Senior Scientist Dr. Pawan Gupta was featured in an American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) article on his leading contributions towards ZephAir, the successful air monitoring system. The tool utilizes AI to pull data from ground monitors, satellites, meteorological variables and more to provide a quality forecast.
NASA Data Helps Protect US Embassy Staff from Polluted Air
In collaboration with NASA, the public tool ZephAir now includes three-day air quality forecasts for PM2.5 for all the approximately 270 US embassies and consulates worldwide. More on this exciting development here and here.
HAQAST’s New Dataset from MERRA-2 Satellite Provides Bias-Corrected PM2.5 Concentrations
NASA has recently released a new version of the MERRA-2 dataset which was created as part of HAQAST’s “Machine Learning Derived MERRA2 PM2.5” team partially led by Pawan Gupta. This product provides bias-corrected surface PM2.5 mass concentrations derived using the CNN machine learning method.
In a recent publication in partnership with Princeton, researchers found that decreased rates of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) have led to increased nitrogen deposits in forests and streams around the U.S. Da Pan and Mark Zondlo emphasize the importance of renewable energy systems to prevent further pollution. Read the full research article here.
Daniel Tong Emphasizes the Health Impacts of Canadian; U.S. Wildfires
In this article by the American Thoracic Society, HAQAST member Daniel Tong highlights the human health risks associated with border-defying wildfire smoke. The 2023 Health of the Air Report, which was funded by NASA’s HAQAST, provided first-ever estimates of human health effects directly attributed to wildfire smoke.
City of Madison to Install 60+ Monitors of PM2.5 to be Regulated by the EPA
Madison is now one of over a hundred cities nationwide to install monitors of fine particulate matter in order to better monitor associated health risks, for instance respiratory and heart diseases. Tracey Holloway, who was interviewed, says these monitors are the first step towards reducing local air pollution rates.
NO2 Now Included in EPA EJScreen Thanks to HAQAST Tiger Team
NASA’s program manager for Health and Air Quality, John Haynes, and HAQAST researcher Gaige Kerr were quoted in this NASA article on a recent update to EJScreen, which now offers data about nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This crucial update was made possible by the work of the Satellite Data for Environmental Justice Tiger Team in partnership with the EPA.
Susan Anenberg to NY Times: Wildfire Smoke Endangers Vulnerable Populations
Wildfire smoke from Western burns have reached the East Coast. HAQAST member Susan Anenberg was interviewed on the public health impacts of the smoke, for instance cardiovascular, neurological and mental health effects.
NO2 Concentrated Near Warehouses Nationwide, Research Shows
Dr. Gaige Kerr led a recent research project that tracked air pollution from space, resulting in the identification of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) congregations at some 150,000 U.S. warehouses. These dangerous NO2 concentrations are now attracting regulatory and legal attention from both the local community and lawmakers.
Bryan Duncan was quoted in this NASA article which commemorates the work of Earth-observing satellite, Aura, which paved the way for recent missions including PACE and TEMPO. The mission’s data have given researchers an unparalleled view of air pollution around the world, Duncan said.
NO2 Indicator Integrated into EPA EJScreen
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) from 2020 block group-level source data is now available in an updated version of EJScreen 2.3. This is a result of the efforts for the Satellite Data for Environmental Justice Team. EJScreen 2.3 makes a number of important improvements to better meet the needs of users, including new environmental indicators and map layers, interface improvements, and updated demographic and environmental data.
TROPOMI NO2 Version 2.4 Release Included in Earthdata Roundup
Level 3 GLOBAL TROPOMI Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) collections covering the period from July 2019 to present were recently released and noted as significant in Earth Data’s June 2024 Data Summary.
Dr. Tracey Holloway Discusses Link Between Air Pollution and Human Health
HAQAST Team Lead, Dr. Tracey Holloway spoke with ABC13 news on the relationship between poor air quality and adverse health effects. Respiratory disease is one of the biggest impacts, Holloway said.
HAQAST Lead Tracey Holloway Interviewed on Outdoor Air Quality and Wildfire Smoke
In a recent interview with SciLine, Dr. Holloway spoke on the importance of staying up-to-date with local air quality due to adverse human health effects. While she acknowledges significant successes in the fight against climate change, Dr. Holloway addresses the need to combat both climate and air pollution together.
Earth Action Program Translates Satellite Data to Health Research
John Haynes’ 2023 presentation at the American Thoracic Society Conference described the many benefits of using NASA satellite data for health research. The goal, he said, is to apply Earth Action data to benefit the economy, human health, quality of life and the environment.
HAQAST Massachusetts was held June 4-5
HAQAST’s 14 PIs and 60+ collaborators partnered with MIT at this biannual meeting in Cambridge, MA. This two-day public event offered an opportunity for researchers, stakeholders and data users to foster collaboration using NASA tools and data. Recorded sessions 1A-7A are now available to view here.
A.44 Earth Action Deadlines Announced; Extended
HAQAST’s deadline to request Notice of Intent is June 4th, 2024. The complimentary proposal due date has been extended to June 16th due to widespread power loss from Hurricane Beryl.
Advanced Seminar on Satellite Monitoring of Smoke and Fires in South America was held April-June
Dr. Ana Prados, a HAQAST member and contributor, organized an advanced satellite course at two universities in Bolivia which concluded on June 3rd. 30 attendees from government agencies, the private sector, and universities from both countries completed the multi week course, which included outstanding group end-of-course presentations.
High Ozone Levels from Warmer Months May Lead to Further Pollution, Says Dr. Tracey Holloway
In an interview with The Chicago Sun Times, HAQAST Lead Dr. Holloway said that air pollution may still increase despite less wildfire smoke and less extreme heat than prior years. “We’re seeing warmer springs and warmer summers that may be leading to high ozone levels that undo some of the pollution reductions we’ve seen,” Holloway said.
NASA Satellite Data Used to Measure, Help Reduce India’s Air Pollution
In this Earthdata article, Pawan Gupta discusses the applied benefits of using satellites to monitor air quality. In an effort to better understand the source of air pollution, Gupta emphasizes the disproportionate effects on human health.
ZephAir Mobile App Announces Forecasting Function
The Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) has partnered with HAQAST in developing a three-day air quality forecast for particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) for ZephAir, the first air quality mobile app. In-app forecasting functionality will be made available in summer 2024, the US Department of State said.
Featuring Pawan Gupta’s project in partnership with the Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) announcing a new, machine learning-powered particulate air pollution forecast.
Rosalie Powell Graduates UW Madison with Double Major
Powell, who worked with HAQAST as a Digital Media Specialist, graduated UW Madison in spring 2024 with degrees in Environmental Sciences and Life Sciences Communication. Post-grad, Rosalie is beginning a conservation outreach fellowship and aims to connect researchers and their communities.
HAQAST Study Included on Astrobiology’s NASA Current Awareness List
Qian Xiao’s study on the relationship between neighborhood light and noise levels on long-term sleep patterns was emphasized as significant on Astrobiology’s April 2024 Current Awareness List.
130 million Americans routinely breathe unhealthy air, report finds
Susan Anenberg discusses the increasing challenge of combating human-driven, poor air quality in this OPB article. In regard to addressing air pollution and climate change, the easy wins are gone, Anenberg said.
HAQAST Annual Program Review was held in Jackson, WY from April 23-24
All currently funded grants, interagency agreements and various contracts in the Health and Air Quality program area collaborated for this event. See here to learn more about a presentation given by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality in partnership with HAQAST.
Study: Wildfire Smoke Contributes to 16,000 US Deaths Annually
HAQAST member Susan Anenberg was interviewed by Nature World News about her study on the effects of air pollution on human health. The number could grow to 30,000 annual deaths without proper intervention, Anenberg said.
One Thing Most Countries Have in Common: Unsafe Air
HAQAST researcher Gaige Kerr was quoted, and his team’s research was featured in this New York Times article. It discusses global air pollution, disparities in the US, and future perspectives.
Study on Heat Illness Used to Inform Miami’s Extreme Heat Action Plan
Chris Uejio’s work alongside HAQAST helped identify areas in Dade County, Miami that are most vulnerable to risk of extreme heat illness.
Faces of Technology – Women of NASA 2024
To celebrate National Women’s Day, NASA looked back on the Faces of Technology series. This video compilation included clips from three members of HAQAST projects: Amber Soja, Emily Gargulinski, and Kellin Slater.
EPA’s Integrated Science Assessment includes over 100 citations describing and applying satellite-derived PM2.5 data supporting the revised standard
The Integrated Science Assessment and its Supplement that underpin the revised PM2.5 standard as well as the final rule itself (89 FR 16202) include cited work from Randall Martin.
3Qs with Gaige Kerr: New Study on How Air Pollution Impacts Minority Populations
Gaige Kerr discusses his new publication which investigates the disproportionate impact of air pollution on minority populations. Kerr and the team found that despite decreases in air pollution effects over the past ten years, racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric asthma and premature mortality have widened.
Geostationary satellites could provide better air quality alerts: study
Susan Anenberg alongside researchers from GW, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency released a new study to demonstrate the public health value of geostationary satellites for air pollution monitoring.
Featuring HAQAST PI Chris Uejio
In partnership with Miami-Dade County, Chris Uejio and the HAQAST Environmental Justice Team used satellite data to understand which residents and what areas are most impact by heat. Summer heat can be deadly and understanding the issue is the first step to implementing change. Miami-Dade County is using this data to transform the science into a heat-action plan which will benefit the most at risk populations.
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg
On this episode of the NASA’S Curious Universe Podcast guest Susan Anenburg and others discuss the effect of aerosols in areas from air pollution to climate change. Additionally, they talk about the role of HAQAST and how satellite data can inform on the ground decision making.
Satellite Data Can Help Limit the Dangers of Windblown Dust
Featuring HAQAST program manager John Haynes & HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
Dust storms are increasing threat due factors including urban sprawl and climate change. HAQAST research led by Daniel Tong utilizes NASA and NOAA data to provide early warnings to the public. This helps build awareness and understanding, in hopes of preventing collisions and health risks.
Why School Location Can Expose Certain Kids To More Air Pollution
This Forbes opinion piece highlights a recent publication from the HAQAST Satellite Data for Environmental Justice Tiger Team. The study shows how school location across the nation impacts children’s exposure to air pollution. It quotes NASA Earth Observatory article which also highlight the team.
Dr. Tracey Holloway Featured on the “Sustain UW” Podcast
Featuring HAQAST Team Lead Dr. Tracey Holloway
HAQAST Lead Tracey Holloway recently joined Madison’s Sustain UW podcast for the “Hot, Hazy and Hazardous” episode. Dr. Holloway discussed Canadian wildfires, ozone and smoke in Madison, and steps for moving forward.
Wildfires Impact Health Across Every Region in U.S. According to “Health of the Air” Report
Feature HAQAST Member Kevin Cromar & Daniel Tong
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has released their annul “Heath of the Air” Report. It includes data and analysis produced by a Rapid Response Team lead by Kevin Cromar and Daniel Tong. Their team’s health analysis is the “first-ever local and national estimates of the health impacts specifically attributable to air pollution from wildland fires”.
Using Satellite Data to Solve Real-World Health and Air Quality Issues
NASA HAQAST is profiled in this NASA Earth Data article, explaining how Tiger Teams and Rapid Response Teams are formed, and featuring Satellite Data for Environmental Justice.
Air Quality Forecasts Get an Upgrade
Featuring HAQAST Member Daniel Tong
Daniel Tong and his team collaborated with the National Air Quality Forecast Capability (NAQFC) and NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) to provide air quality forecasts about dust storms using satellite data. This work allows the public to understand where and when dust storm events will occur, saving lives.
UAF helps develop air quality data for popular Alaska wildfire website
Featuring HAQAST Member Jingqiu Mao
A new interactive map developed in partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Alaska Fire Service allows users to quickly and easily understand where Alaskan wildlife smoke is headed. It features current air quality conditions and forecasts.
A First Look From NASA’s New Air Pollution Satellite
Featuring HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway
The satellite will stay parked above North America and provide scientists with hourly daytime updates on air pollution nationwide. On August 24th, researchers released their first images, which show changes in nitrogen dioxide pollution over the United States over the course of a day.
Helping Our Personnel Breathe Easier: Partnering With NASA to Expand Reliable Air Quality Data
Featuring work from the HAQAST Team
A Department of State team comprised of representatives from policy, management, medical, and regional bureaus visited the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on June 1st to meet with NASA scientists about our ongoing collaboration to provide U.S. diplomatic posts with air quality data.
Wildfire exposure linked to higher risk for death after lung cancer surgery
Featuring HAQAST Ambassador Leticia M. Nogueira
Discusses at study that shows the effects of wildfires on patients recovering from lung cancer surgery, showing they have worse survival outcomes than their unexposed counterparts.
The long term effects of repeated exposure to the smoke and haze from Canadian wildfires
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg
Radio interview discussing the raging wildfires in Canada have been causing a smokey haze in the D.C. region this summer — and how it doesn’t appear to be getting better, and what this means for the long term health of the people living there.
Special Webinar for the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms
Featuring HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
The UN General Assembly declared July 12 to be the International Day for Combating Sand and Dust Storms. You can access the special webinar with it’s round table of experts on sand and dust storms here. HAQAST PI Daniel Tong was also asked to record a brief statement on these issues and you can find his statement here.
Looking to Solve Real-World Air Quality Issues
Featuring HAQAST Outreach Coordinator Jenny Bratburd
Monitoring oil and gas emissions; how to use data from a new NASA mission; combining air pollution data with information on household income – these are just a few of the research topics chosen for support by the NASA Health and Air Quality program area.
The Air Quality Index, Explained with Dr. Tracey Holloway
Featuring HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway
In a recent interview with Vox, Dr. Holloway helps break down the Air Quality Index; an air quality guide developed by the EPA and fueled by 5,000 air monitors across the country.
UW-Madison scientist predicts an increase in smoky days in the future
Featuring HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway
Tracey Holloway was featured in two TV segments, What’s in the smoke? and UW-Madison scientist predicts an increase in smoky days in the future, to explain the recent air quality concerns and what the future may look like.
Wildfires Will Only Get Worse. We Need Satellite Tracking of Air Pollution
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg
Satellite monitoring of air quality could help reduce premature death from smoke exposure.
Senior Research Scientist Ana Prados Interviewed on Urban Environments and Air Quality
HAQAST member and collaborator Ana Prados of the University of Maryland Baltimore County was interviewed by Gareth Byatt. They discussed a wide variety of topics relating to air quality and human health, for instance urban infrastructure, ecological environments and climate change.
Faces of Technology – Meet Kellin Slater
Meet Kellin Slater, an environmental epidemiologist who uses NASA satellite data to help detect health impacts from small fires. As a Project Manager at Colorado State University for one of NASA’s Health and Air Quality Applied Science Teams (HAQAST), Kellin is interested in environmental justice for all communities impacted by smoke from agricultural fires.
How deadly are dust storms? New research shows they cause more crashes than previously recorded
Featuring HAQAST PI Danial Tong
Dust storms can prove deadly to drivers, causing panic and loss of visibility. Danial Tong and his team shed light on crashes related to dust storm events, providing new data and suggestions for future reporting.
Brighter Neighborhoods Harm Human Health
Featuring HAQAST PI Qian Xiao
A recent study published by Qian Xiao and her team, found an association between the light exposure at night and human health. Namely, brighter neighbors experienced higher risk of breast cancer. The risk disproportionality impacts poorer, non-white communities as they are more likely to live in brighter neighborhoods. Explore the group’s toolkit here.
No Breathing Easy for City Dwellers: Nitrogen Dioxide (Image of the day)
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenburg
This ground breaking research connects ‘health outcomes in cities around the world to satellite and ground-based data on air pollution’ for the first time.
Martin named Raymond R. Tucker Distinguished Professor
HAQAST member Randall Martin has been named as the Raymond R. Tucker Distinguished Professor at the Washington University in St. Louis. This recognition honors Raymond Tucker a former St. Louis mayor, professor, and Environmentalist. It speaks to Martin’s deep commitment to researching and improving air quality and health.
EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan Yields Support from Environmental Groups; Opposition from Industry
Featuring HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway
A new plan by the EPA proposes stricter pollution standards to reduce smog and target power plant emissions in 23 states, including Wisconsin. Dr. Tracey Holloway acknowledges an improvement in air quality over time, but argues that many areas still contribute to respiratory diseases and other human health issues from poor air quality.
HAQAST PI Susan Anenburg has been selected as the new chair for the George Washington University Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. This position speaks to her outstanding achievements in the fields of climate and health.
Madison to use low-cost sensors to measure neighborhood air quality
With the help of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City of Madison and 3 community partners are implementing 68 air quality sensors throughout the city. This will give residents a real time understanding of particulate matter levels on the neighborhood scale. Tracey Holloway, a project advisor, notes that air quality can vary greatly on small scales, so this project will allow us to understand if certain areas are disproportionately impacted.
Air Pollution High at US Public Schools with Kids from Marginalized Groups
Air pollution can have significant health impacts especially for children, who have increased vulnerability. This study conducted by HAQAST PIs Susan Anenburg and Randall Martin among others, is the first of its kind—offering a report of ‘atmospheric fine particulate pollution and nitrogen dioxide exposure patterns at U.S. public schools’ at a nationwide scale.
Faces of Technology – Meet Emily Gargulinski
Meet Emily Gargulinski, a NASA Research Engineer at the National Institute of Aerospace. Emily watches fires from space. She uses geospatial data to evaluate what’s happening with fires on the ground. As part of her work with NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team, or HAQAST, Emily is looking at the impact of small agricultural and range fires.
Six New Trustees Elected to the UCAR Board
HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway was recently elected to the board of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) which oversees the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and seeks to provide resources including models tools, educational resources and facilities to atmospheric research scientists.
A Hole in the Ozone Layer is Shrinking, Says Dr. Tracey Holloway
In this WPR episode, HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway explains how a hole in the ozone layer is expected to be eliminated by 2065– and what we can learn from this rare climate success story.
UW’s Tracey Holloway elected to National Academy of Medicine
HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway has been elected a member of the National Academy of Medicine. This honor recognizes her interdisciplinary approach to air quality, climate science, and public health.
LADCO works to understand the causes of ground level ozone pollution in the Great Lakes region. This page provides the state of the science information on ozone chemistry, sources, and mitigation strategies.
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg and Ambassador Pallavi Pant
Read full report and explore the interactive maps to learn more about air quality in your city, how it is changing, and the disease burdens associated with air pollution.
Using Data to Mitigate Inequitable Environmental Burdens
Featuring HAQAST PI’s Susan Anenberg and Qian Xiao
A new transdisciplinary special collection welcomes studies exploring data and tools for identifying and mitigating environmental injustice.
Dust-up over dust storm link to ‘Valley Fever’ disease
Featuring HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
Researchers are divided over whether rising cases of the fungal infection in the United States can be linked to dust storms.
How Does The Human Body React to Extreme Heat?
Featuring HAQAST PI Chris Uejio
Chris Uejio joins guest host Sophie Bushwick to talk about what high temperatures do to the body, and how we can protect our health and safety in a heat wave.
Clearer View of Great Lakes Air Quality (NASA Image of the Day)
The complex lake and land breezes and the atmospheric pressure differences across the Great Lakes region of North America can result in high levels of ozone pollution that are difficult to monitor or predict. Recently, air quality experts began incorporating more satellite data and customized models from NASA to better track that pollution. Their goal is to better inform local decision-making about how to improve air quality.
Featuring HAQAST PIs Susan Anenberg & Dan Goldberg
An analysis of air quality across the D.C. metro area reveals the disparities between neighborhoods divided by racial segregation. These disadvantaged areas additionally present with many times more visits to the emergency room for asthma, demonstrating the monumental health impacts.
Featuring HAQAST PI’s Tracey Holloway, Dan Goldberg, & Yang Liu
Health Effect Institute hosted a virtual workshop open to the general public to ‘identify opportunities for health application research using new and expected satellite remote sensing data’. HAQAST lead Tracey Holloway was a chair of the program and HAQAST PIs Dan Goldberg, and Yang Liu were among the presenters.
City Health Dashboard adds ozone data, with help from HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
Featuring HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
Starting today, users can now access two new measures: Air Pollution-Ozone and the Credit Insecurity Index. Adding these particular metrics is part of our ongoing mission at the Dashboard to develop more innovative and timely data sources and methods that seek to better demonstrate how physical, economic and social determinants impact health, particularly in cities.
No Breathing Easy for City Dwellers: Particulates (NASA Image of the Day)
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg
Air pollution is the fourth leading risk factor for death around the world. But one type of pollutant is particularly harmful: fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These small, inhalable particles (less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) result from direct emissions into the air, as well as interactions among other pollutants.
No Breathing Easy for City Dwellers: Nitrogen Dioxide (NASA Image of the Day)
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg
NASA-funded scientists have, for the first time, connected health outcomes in cities around the world to satellite and ground-based data on air pollution. The researchers concluded that despite improvements in some parts of the world and for certain pollutants, air quality continues to be an important contributor to disease.
COVID-19 Lockdown Drove Pollution Changes Between – Even Within – Cities
Featuring HAQAST PI Randall Martin
New modeling method allows researchers to measure levels of NO2 on a finer scale, revealing disparities in exposure during COVID.
HAQAST Work Featured on NASA Health and Air Quality Webpage
The NASA Health & Air Quality program area provides policymakers with Earth observations to enhance decision-making about public health, and HAQAST is an integral part of this mission. We provide managers and policymakers with Earth observations that inform decisions about air quality standards, public policies and government regulations for economic and human welfare.
The Far-Reaching Consequences of Wildfire Smoke Plumes
Featuring HAQAST PI Jeffrey Pierce
Knowledge of wildfire smoke impacts is critical for researchers and public health experts going forward, as climate change continues to produce a warmer, drier western United States and the fire season is expected to become only longer and more intense. To fill this gap, Jeffrey Pierce and his team looked at smoke exposure across seasons and regions in the United States between 2006 and 2018.
An Extra Air Pollution Burden (NASA Image of the Day)
Featuring HAQAST PI’s Susan Anenberg and Randall Martin and Member Pat Kinney
Like many cities in the eastern United States, Washington, D.C., has seen major improvements in air quality in recent decades. Susan Anenberg, Pat Kinney, and Randall Martin have been able to shed light on these improvements and bring attention to their impact on health problems.
Scientific Questions Arrive in Ports (NASA Image of the Day)
Featuring HAQAST PI Daniel Goldberg
Due to COVID pandemic supply chain issues, many container ships were stuck in major ports. HAQAST PI’s Danial Goldberg and Susan Anenburg among others investigated this unusual activity to understand its impacts on NO2 concentrations in these areas.
NASA Smoke Signals for Air Quality
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan O’Neill
Susan O’Neill and her team developed a set of data tools as part of NASA’s 2017 California Wildfires Tiger Team which has reshaped the way scientists observe smoke from wildfires.
HAQAST Featured by NASA Applied Sciences
NASA Applied Sciences introduces the third installment of the Health and Air Quality Applied Science Team, which includes 14 principal investigators and a push to answer complex environmental problems.
HAQAST Announces Five Innovative Tiger Teams
In the 1960’s, NASA began using the term “Tiger Teams” for small, determined teams of experts to help solve complex problems. The tradition continues today, with the announcement of the third generation of Tiger Teams within the Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team.
Wildfires 8.4 Million Hectares in the Republic of Sakha, says NASA’s Dr. Amber Soja
This article by NASA’s Earth Observatory details the record-breaking year for wildfires in the eastern Russian republic. These months-long fires burned nearly four times the average land coverage, Soja says.
Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change Policy Brief
Featuring HAQAST PI Yang Liu
This fifth annual Policy Brief is supported by a diverse group of health experts from over 70 institutions, organizations, and centers who recognize that climate change is first and foremost a health crisis. It uses recent scientific studies to expose the inequitable health risks of climate change, including work by Yang Liu.
Addressing Disparity of Clean Air in Marginalized Communities
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg and Member Gaige Kerr
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep-seated inequities in everything from safe working conditions and affordable health care to kids’ access to the internet for school. It also highlighted another alarming disparity that isn’t visible to the naked eye: access to clean air.
HAQAST’s Amber Soja Describes the Effect of Siberian Wildfires Using MODIS
In this Washington Post article, Dr. Soja describes the Siberian wildfires she studies, which have become more aggressive in light of climate change. Using NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), she has detected over 200,000 fires so far in the 2021 season.
Integrating Satellite Data to Find Links Between Environment and Health
Featuring HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
Several obstacles stand in the way of integrating social, health, and Earth science data for vital geohealth studies, but Tong and his team promote tools and opportunities to overcome these obstacles.
Research Aims to Help Alaskans, Visitors Avoid Wildfire Smoke
Featuring HAQAST Member Jingqiu Mao
HAQAST Member Jingqiu Mao and colleagues will connect satellite data with health and air quality to support the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and others.
Tracey Holloway Highlighted by UW News
The University of Wisconsin – Madison highlights HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway’s efforts to bring space-based data to the world.
Featuring HAQAST PI Jeff Pierce
Need for better air quality monitoring is promoted by HAQAST Member Jeff Pierce and his team to inform Colorado residents about health impacts of long-range wildfire smoke.
Final Report for HAQAST 2016-2020 Released
5 years of HAQAST successes are culminated in this final report, with in-depth analysis of stakeholder growth, lessons learned, and next steps for the future.
Siberian Wildfires Aggressively Burn, Fuel Climate Change
Featuring HAQAST PI Amber Soja
Siberia experiences a heat wave, then dangerous levels of wildfires. As more greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere, the ground will continue to thaw thus triggering further fires, Soja says.
HAQAST Helping the World to Breathe More Easily
HAQAST, along with NASA’s Health and Air Quality Program, is helping to lead the charge for global air quality.
NASA Satellite Data Show 30 Percent Drop In Air Pollution Over Northeast U.S.
Featuring HAQAST PI Bryan Duncan
Though further studies are needed, it appears that NO2 for March, 2020, is 30% lower than the 5-year March average, suggest new NASA research.
NASA Contributes to National Public Health Week
Featuring HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
Part of the HAQAST mandate is to build bridges between the air quality and public health communities. A host of NASA Earth researchers, including our own Daniel Tong, are doing just that.
UW Scientist Works to Improve Allergy Forecasting
Featuring HAQAST PI Jeremy Hess and Member Fiona Lo
Fiona Lo explains her work with Jeremy Hess using satellite data to forecast pollen season on Seattle TV news.
Jin & Fiore’s Research on Health Co-Benefits Widely Covered
Featuring HAQAST PI Arlene Fiore
Xiaomeng Jin and Arlene Fiore’s research on the public health benefits of reduced PM 2.5 exposure in New York State has been covered by media outlets in the US and internationally.
Featuring HAQAST PI’s Susan Anenberg and Bryan Duncan
This video explains how PM2.5 affects the health of people and is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.
New Map Shows Risk of Sunburn Across the U.S.
Featuring HAQAST PI Yang Liu
A map series of UV exposure developed by HAQAST was featured as the NASA Earth Observatory Image of the Day. This collaboration with the CDC, is a new step in protecting the public from skin cancer. The project is ‘the first publicly available map of ultraviolet (UV) radiation for all counties in the contiguous United States’.
Air Pollution Cuts Are Saving Lives in New York State
Featuring HAQAST PI Arlene Fiore
Columbia University highlights Arlene Fiore’s study on how reduced PM2.5 in New York State led to a decrease in mortality between 2002 and 2012.
America’s Skies Have Gotten Clearer, but Millions Still Breathe Unhealthy Air
Featuring HAQAST PI’s Bryan Duncan and Jason West
The New York Times drew on Bryan Duncan and Jason West’s Tiger Team work estimating health benefits of cleaner air in the US from 1990 to 2010.
Google Trends Could Help Scientists Track Allergy Season
Featuring HAQAST PI Jeremy Hess
Jeremy Hess’s work on pollen and allergies profiled by EOS.
The Seasonal Rhythms of Ammonia
Featuring HAQAST PI Mark Zondlo
Mark Zondlo’s work on the seasonal rhythm of NH3 profiled by NASA’s Image of the Day.
NASA Science Shows Human Impact of Clean Air Policies
Featuring HAQAST PI’s Jason West and Susan Anenberg
Jason West and Susan Anenberg’s work was recently profiled by NASA for their efforts to help air quality managers and policymakers solve clean air problems using NASA data and products.
Featuring HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
Daniel Tong’s commentary on the health impacts of massive dust storms in Arizona featured in Sierra magazine.
NASA Satellites Help Scientists Determine the Global Burden of Asthma
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg
Susan Anenberg’s work was recently profiled by NASA for its cutting-edge application of satellite data to asthma and global health.
On the road in Hawaii, Princeton team seeks clearer picture of volcanic air quality
Featuring HAQAST PI Mark Zondlo
Mark Zondlo’s work documenting the impacts of the Kilauea eruptions on air quality
HAQAST’s Work Included in the 2018 EPA Air Trends Report
Our team’s work, especially that of Bryan Duncan, is included the the 2018 EPA Air Trends Report. New this year are animations of SO2 from satellite data.
The Paris Agreement saves lives in China
Featuring HAQAST PI Jason West and Collaborator Jonathan Patz
Patz and West’s commentary, titled ‘The Paris Agreement Could Save Lives in China,’ was published in The Lancet
HOLLOWAY INTERVIEWED FOR ‘WOMEN BREAKING BARRIERS’ SERIES
Tracey Holloway was interviewed for OnlineEdcuation.com’s Women Breaking Barriers series. This series highlights many women that are trailblazers in their respective fields.
NASA Giovanni Video Tutorial Now Available
Watch HAQAST’s NASA Giovanni video tutorial, produced by the NASA HAQAST Communications Team
Smoke Tools and Information for use During Wildfires
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan O’Neill
Watch O’Neill’s video on tools and information for use during wildfires
NASA Worldview Video Tutorial Now Available
Watch HAQAST’s NASA Worldview video tutorial, produced by the NASA HAQAST Communications Team
UNC podcast: Climate change and air pollution
Featuring HAQAST PI Jason West
‘Each year, millions of people die from exposure to air pollution. And if unaddressed, climate change could bring those numbers up even higher by the end of the century.’
MILLER PUBLISHED A PIECE IN PHYSICS TODAY PROFILING HAQAST
Featuring HAQAST Member Daegan Miller
‘“Out of sight, out of mind” goes the common saying, yet what people can’t see can have an important impact on their well-being. Invisible gases including nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone negatively affect human health, and satellites offer the best means of tracking those atmospheric pollutants.’
Featuring HAQAST PI Jason West
‘The USA will benefit from improved air quality in the future, through actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions both domestically and globally.’
ZONDLO’S RESEARCH GROUP AT PRINCETON DEVELOPS A MOBILE SENSING PLATFORM FOR AIR POLLUTANTS
Featuring HAQAST PI Mark Zondlo
‘Mark Zondlo and his research group have developed a mobile platform to measure critical greenhouse gases and air pollutants. They recently acquired an all-electric vehicle to house the suite of sensors, which they can use to monitor urban air quality, without altering their own measurements.’
Meet the Lake Michigan Ozone Study Scientists
Featuring HAQAST PI Brad Pierce
‘Dr. Betsy Stone compiled a presentation introducing the contributors to the summer 2017 LMOS data collection part of Pierce’s work on high-ozone events.’
Fiore and Jin’s Research Featured as NASA Image of the Day
Featuring HAQAST PI Arlene Fiore
‘Ozone pollution near Earth’s surface is one of the main ingredients of summertime smog and a primary cause of poor air quality. Yet it is not directly measurable from space because of the abundance of ozone higher in the atmosphere, which obscures measurements of surface ozone. Now NASA-funded researchers have devised a way to use satellites to measure the precursor gases that contribute to ozone formation.’
Why more dust storms and Valley fever are blanketing the Southwest
Featuring HAQAST PI Daniel Tong
‘Giant dust storms are sweeping the southwestern United States more frequently. Why? Rising sea temperatures, according to a study published in the journal of Geophysical Research Letters.’
NASA Aids Study of Lake Michigan High-Ozone Events
Featuring HAQAST PI Brad Pierce
‘NASA researchers are conducting science flights along the Wisconsin-Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline to help better understand the formation and transport of ozone, a potent air pollutant in the region.’
Air pollution deaths expected to rise because of climate change
Featuring HAQAST PI Jason West
‘New research predicts that air pollution worsened by climate change will cost tens of thousands of lives if changes are not made.’
Featuring HAQAST PI Brad Pierce
‘HAQAST Co-I Brad Pierce was invited to an on-air interview at the Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) studios in Madison, Wisconsin on August 10, 2017 to discuss the 2017 Lake Michigan Ozone Study (LMOS 2017) with the hosts of WPRs Central Times.’
Featuring HAQAST PI Brad Pierce
‘This online article was published in July, 2016, nearly a year before the NEI NOX project commenced, in the Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) News Articles.’
LMOS Project Featured in SSEC Biannual Publication
Featuring HAQAST PI Brad Pierce
‘This project was featured in the UW-Madison Space Science and Engineering (SSEC) “Through the Atmosphere” summer 2017 publication in print and online.’
Lake Michigan Ozone Study 2017 Story on WPR Blog
Featuring HAQAST PI Brad Pierce
‘A Wisconsin Public Radio interview of some the 2017 Lake Michigan Ozone Study (LMOS 2017) science leads aired on June 22, 2017, which was also that last day of the LMOS 2017 field campaign.’
‘A 10-year (2006-2016) high-resolution (0.1×0.1 degree) monthly mean tropospheric NO2 column data set generated by the NASA OMI Science Team for NO2 was developed for display on NOAA Science On a Sphere (SOS) exhibits.’
Impacts and mitigation of excess diesel-related NOx emissions in 11 major vehicle markets
Featuring HAQAST PI Susan Anenberg
‘Diesels pollute more than lab tests detect. Excess emissions kill 38,000 annually.’
Scientific America Podcast: Pollution Peaks when Temperatures Top Out
Featuring HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway
‘As Temperatures Rise, Energy Demands Peak, with a Corresponding Increase in Air Pollutants’
Featuring HAQAST PI Brad Pierce
‘PI Brad Pierce gave a briefing on the 2017 Lake Michigan Ozone Study to the Business Advocacy Committee of the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on April 7, 2017.’
NPR’s All Things Considered Podcast
Featuring HAQAST PI Arlene Fiore
‘The Culprit In Rising Western U.S. Smog Levels: Asia’
The Guardian covers research on air pollution and premature birth
‘Air pollution could be a contributing factor in millions of premature births around the world each year’
Update from our Program Manager
Featuring HAQAST Program Manager John Haynes
‘HAQAST has expanded its focus beyond just air quality policy and regulation information utilizing Earth observationing data to the environmental health realm’
Henze connects air quality research to local and global impacts
Featuring HAQAST Member Daven Henze
‘Targeting Cookstove Pollution Using Supercomputers and NASA Satellites’
HAQAST Leader, Holloway quoted in NBC News article
Featuring HAQAST Team Lead Tracey Holloway
’11 Surprising Predictions for 2017 from some of The Biggest Names in Science’
West quoted from UNC communications
Featuring HAQAST PI Jason West
“I am excited by this opportunity, not only to conduct studies that will have an influence on environmental and public health policies, but also to better understand how to improve engagement with decision makers in future projects.”
HAQAST is featured in Isthmus article
‘HAQAST is making NASA satellite data useful in monitoring air quality and pollution’