Join the Desert Research Institute: Help Us Uncover the Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke and Heat on Our Community!

RENO, Nev. – The Desert Research Institute is looking for volunteers from Washoe County to join a study on how heat and wildfire smoke affect health.

Participants can earn up to $300 in gift cards. You must be at least 18 years old to take part. The research aims to understand how high temperatures and smoke influence indoor air quality and overall wellbeing. It’s especially important for those without air conditioning, as they may struggle more with these conditions.

Kristin VanderMolen, an Assistant Research Professor of Atmospheric Science at DRI, explains, “Extreme heat and wildfire smoke both have health risks. We want to clarify how these events interact and affect the body.”

The study involves five home visits from the research team, starting this summer and continuing until spring 2026. Visits will be arranged at your convenience and will last between 30 to 60 minutes. During the first visit, sensors for heat and smoke will be installed while a basic health check is performed. The following visits will coincide with the presence of wildfire smoke, allowing for additional assessments of heart and lung health. The final visit will involve removing the sensors. All data collected will remain anonymous.

This study is particularly timely given recent statistics. A report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that summers are getting hotter, with average temperatures rising significantly over the past decade. Increased heat often leads to heightened levels of smoke from wildfires, complicating the challenges faced by residents.

Volunteers can fill out a recruitment form here. This research not only seeks to help individuals but also aims to equip communities with vital information for better health management during extreme weather conditions.

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