Project Firestorm is a rapid-response epidemiological study designed to assess the health impacts of WUI fires.
The study will leverage an existing cohort of 9,000 University of Southern California (USC) faculty, staff, and students from a previous longitudinal study, allowing for immediate data collection without extensive recruitment delays.
Study Objectives:
- Assess changes over time by conducting follow-up surveys and exposure assessments one year post-fire.
- Quantify the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure by assessing respiratory symptoms, mental health outcomes, and financial stress among individuals impacted by the fires.
- Measure exposure to toxic pollutants and metals through biological and environmental sampling.
Study Design & Methods
We will conduct a two-phase study, beginning in early 2025, to evaluate both immediate and long-term health impacts of WUI fire exposures:
- Assess respiratory health, mental health, and financial stress using standardized disaster research protocols.
- Compare fire-adjacent residents (15 miles away).
- Leverage data from USC’s prior COVID-19 study to evaluate changes over time.
- Environmental & Biological Sampling now and in one year:
- Hair samples for toxic metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium).
- House dust samples to assess indoor contamination.
- Silicone wristbands to capture volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs, PAHs, flame retardants).
- Lung Function Testing:
- Spirometry to measure pulmonary function changes in fire-exposed vs. non-exposed individuals.
- Advanced Exposure Assessment Modeling:
- Use air quality monitoring data and geospatial models to estimate individual exposure to wildfire smoke.
- Analyze real-time pollution data from regional air monitoring stations and satellite-derived fire emissions.
Why This Matters
The increasing frequency of climate-driven wildfires in urban areas poses an urgent public health threat. This study will provide critical data on:
- Immediate and long-term health effects of WUI fire smoke.
- Exposure pathways for toxic pollutants, informing clean-up guidelines and protective policies.
- Mental health and financial consequences for affected individuals and communities.
- Strategies for improving disaster response and public health preparedness.
With additional funding, we can expand exposure monitoring efforts and improve data-driven wildfire response and recovery strategies that will protect vulnerable communities in future disasters.