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Beyond the Horizon: Opportunities to leverage research and technology in citizen science environmental public health initiatives
Citation:
Rappold, A. Beyond the Horizon: Opportunities to leverage research and technology in citizen science environmental public health initiatives. Lecture-Colorado State, Fort Collins, CO, November 06, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation of current research.
Description:
Exposure to smoke from wildland fires is associated with an increased incidence of health burdens and thus warrants further study to understand behavioral patterns related to exposure reduction efforts. In this talk we discuss several research projects related to the EPA’s Smoke Sense citizen science initiative developed to promote wildfire smoke health risk awareness and education. First, we examine the feasibility of Smoke Sense initiative to engage smartphone users during smoke events and investigate the range of behavioral actions taken in relation to smoke exposure and symptoms experienced. Participants reported on the presence or absence of a smoke event in their area, symptoms they experienced and number of days, averting actions (protective measures such as avoiding outdoor recreational activity, staying indoors, using a respirator mask, using an air cleaner, etc.), and mitigating actions (taking medication or seeking medical care) they have taken. We examine the relationship between health history, symptoms, symptom averting behaviors and exposure mitigating actions. Second, we will discuss a machine learning algorithm trained to automatically identify smoke plumes from satellite-based true color imagery (i.e. the spectrum visible to the human eye) in real time. In this project we implement a deep fully convolutional network that performs end-to-end semantic segmentation of the satellite imagery to be used in conjunction with near real-time modelled, measured particulate data, and citizen scientist reports to provide an integrated picture of smoke exposure across an airshed. Finally, we examine spatial and temporal variability in the distribution of fire-weather parameters and characterize long-term trends in fire risk within wildland urban interface and by region to identify communities that have experienced rapid changes in population health vulnerability as well as the physical risk of wildland fire. Dr. Rappold is a Statistician with EPA, Office of Research and Development, Environmental Public Health Division. She is a scientific lead of the project aimed to integrate public health messaging with environmental models and understanding their effectiveness to reduce burden in population. She has conducted a number of clinical and epidemiological research studies of health effects from air pollution and has authored a number of studies specific to smoke impacts on health. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.