One Year after California’s Devastating 2007 Wildfires, Environmental and Health Effects of Smoke Better Understood

Image Gallery Photo by Lauren Brothers, a graduate student in chemistry at UCSD. Scripps Institution of Oceanography Pier shrouded by smoke from the 2007 fires.   Click image to view fullsize   Image 1 of 1

Newswise — One year ago firestorms swept through Southern California, leading to the largest evacuation in the state’s history. Since then, scientists at the University of California, San Diego with expertise in atmospheric science, respiratory health, environmental economics and politics, urban studies, and the rapid collection and display of information during emergencies have focused on helping the region prepare for the next potential disaster.

Smoke in the air
UC San Diego scientists have developed new chemical analyses and unique instruments that can identify and track tiny particles in smoke and pinpoint their source. One of these instruments provided a stream of real-time information on the amount of smoke in the air during the fires last year. Similar analytical instruments are aboard an unmanned aircraft that will sample California’s air before, during and after any wildfires this season.

A high proportion of smoke from fires is made up of very small particles that stay in the atmosphere longer and travel farther than larger bits of soot. These minute particles can penetrate deeper into the human body where they can cause adverse health effects ranging from asthma to lung disease. Hear (http://www.ucsd.tv/search-details.asp?showID=14856) or read (http://luminance.ucsd.edu/AlteredAtmosphere) more about research on atmospheric particulates at UC San Diego.

Smoke in your lungs
The UC San Diego Medical Center treated more than 50 burn victims injured during the 2007 fires. Dozens more sought help for shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and coughing caused by breathing smoke. For most people, these symptoms last only a few days or weeks, but a small percentage experience permanent or unexpected outcomes.

Respiratory scientists are collaborating with other university departments to study the impact of particulates on the early development of chronic lung disease and related effects on the immune system.

Emergency Responders
As a leader in disaster preparedness and emergency response, UC San Diego Medical Center was one of the first agencies to receive and care for injured victims, beginning Sunday Oct. 21, 2007. The UC San Diego Regional Burn Center treated more than four dozen burn victims: tragically, two civilian patients did not survive their injuries, but the rest of the 23 patients admitted, some in critical condition, walked out, on their own, within weeks.

Fast information in an emergency
Computer scientists at the San Diego Supercomputer Center have mapped ordinary patterns of calls to 911 and developed algorithms to detect anomalies and quickly flag them on a visual display to reveal developing trouble spots.

Remotely operated cameras, stationed throughout San Diego County and linked by a wireless network, transmitted more than 10,000 images during last year’s fires. The extra view can help fire chiefs identify new fire fronts with little additional commitment of often strained resources.

EXPERTS

Atmospheric scientists:

V. Ramanathan, Professor of Climate and Atmospheric Science, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, is leading the study of airborne smoke using unmanned aircraft.

Kimberly Prather, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Division of Physical Sciences and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, developed the instruments used to measure and analyze smoke particles and posted the data feed during last year’s fires.

Hugo Hidalgo, Project Scientist, Scripps Institution of Oceanography can discuss the climate forces that are accelerating drought and expanding the arid portions of the American West. He has found that prevailing dry conditions will creep further into forests and could potentially create more fuel for wildfires.

Mark Thiemens, Dean of the Division of Physical Sciences and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, can talk about chemical analyses to pinpoint the source of smoke.

Respiratory health:

Patricia W. Finn, M.D., Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, can discuss the importance of continued research regarding particulates and other environmental effects on the lung and long-term health, particularly in regards to exposures early in life.

Timothy Morris, M.D., Clinical Service Chief for Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Medical Director of the Respiratory Care and Pulmonary Function Laboratories.

Timothy Bigby, M.D., Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, VA San Diego Healthcare system, can discuss health effects of exposure to smoke inhalation as well as offer practical preventative measures.

First Responders:

Raul Coimbra, M.D., PhD., F.A.C.S., professor of surgery, Chief, Trauma/ Burn/ Surgical Critical Care Division, Department of Surgery, can discuss the importance of San Diego County’s cutting-edge trauma system and the major advances in trauma, worldwide.

Bruce Potenza, M.D., associate professor of surgery and Clinical Director of UCSD Regional Burn Center, can discuss advances in burn treatment and the key role the Regional Burn Center plays serving San Diego County as well as portions of Riverside County, Imperial County and Mexico.

Irving “Jake” Jacoby, M.D., Emergency Medicine physician and Medical Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response and Therese Rymer, R.N., RN, C. FNP, COHN-S, MAS, Director, Emergency Preparedness & Response, UC San Diego Medical Center, can discus the importance of personal and public preparedness, as well as offer practical tips.

Real-time information for first-responders:

Chaitan Baru, Distinguished Scientist at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, directs SDSC’s Science Research and Development Division. In addition to data analysis of 9-1-1 emergency calls, Baru is involved in national-scale projects developing cyberinfrastructure for the geosciences, hydrology, earthquake engineering and environmental science fields.

Hans-Werner Braun is a Research Scientist at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. His current focus is on the High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (HPWREN) as Principal Investigator.

Political Science, Economics, Urban Studies
Steve Erie, political scientist and director of the UCSD Urban Studies and Planning program, can talk about the region's unpreparedness, which he says results from a population that is particularly tax-averse and local governments that don’t support funding of infrastructure, particularly equipment and fire-firefighting personnel.

Richard Carson, professor of economics and immediate past president of the American Association of Resource and Environmental Economists, studies preparation for, and response to, disasters. Carson and his family were evacuated during a recent firestorm. Carson says there is an absence of pre-planning and coordination with the military and with outside firefighters and equipment when it has been obvious that they would be needed.