2025

"When organic material like trees and brush are heated up really high, they form new chemicals, many of which are very toxic. They can cause cancer. They can irritate people’s throats and cause asthma." (Michael Kleinman)

"Residents in ECV face unique challenges, from linguistic barriers to marginal government support. Our findings demonstrate the importance of fostering community ties; collaborating with emergency services; and implementing multilingual, culturally sensitive education campaigns to boost risk perception and preparedness." (Jun Wu)

"The Wildfire and Smoke Experiences Project aims to highlight the wildfire risks faced by rural and unincorporated communities, particularly in the Eastern Coachella Valley." (Suellen Hopfer)

"Underneath all the debris is contaminated and when the rains come, it’s going to dissolve some of the toxic material out and leach that into the ground and so it’s going to be necessary to take at least some of the portion of the topsoil off." (Michael Kleinman)

"It's crucial to continue supporting research in diabetes management as ongoing studies will help refine and optimize treatment options, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide." (Simin Liu)

"You end up with people’s out-of-pocket spending probably being lower than we’ve seen. That doesn’t necessarily mean that premiums are going down. It just means that the state or federal government is paying a larger share of premiums on behalf of enrollees than before." (Dylan Roby)

"Cucumbers have a bit of fiber – 1.5 grams if you eat a whole one – but their lack of bulk means they aren't great at making you feel full. The Food and Drug Administration recommends children ages 4 and older and adults get 28 g of fiber daily. " (Matthew Landry)

"The AQI considers average air quality over specified time windows. For PM2.5 specifically, it considers a 24-hour average. Thus, during a scenario like a major, short-lived wildfire, individual residents may experience higher PM2.5 exposures than that which may be reflected by the AQI, particularly given that smoke plumes can shift. " (Shahir Masri)

"The AQI doesn't account for everything. The particles from the fire, especially close to where the fire was, will be contaminated with other toxic materials, and they can be a harm hazard. " (Michael Kleinman)

"The long-term effects of the mass release of these chemicals will more likely than not lead to broad chronic health effects as part of the "afterburn" of surviving the fire. There will also be increased concerns about cancer risks, as well as the immunological impacts on first responders and those in direct proximity to the wildfires, similar to the World Trade Center aftermath." (Manijeh Berenji)