In the face of escalating global climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme heat events, the mitigation of building overheating has become an urgent priority. This comprehensive review converges insights from building science and public health domains to offer a thorough understanding of the multifaceted impacts of indoor overheating on occupants. The paper addresses a significant research gap by offering a holistic exploration of indoor overheating of residential buildings…
Black carbon concentrations, sources, and health risks at six cities in Mississippi, USA
Black carbon (BC) in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was measured for 15 months (Sept 2013–Dec 2014) at six locations throughout the state of Mississippi, USA, to investigate the distribution, temporal variations, potential sources, and health risks of BC. Sampling sites were divided into two groups based on population: large cities (Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Jackson) and small cities (Grenada, Hernando, and Pascagoula). The mean concentration of BC was higher in large…
New Paper: Energy Insecurity Indicators Associated With Increased Odds Of Respiratory, Mental Health, And Cardiovascular Conditions
Energy insecurity, defined as the inability to meet household energy needs, has multiple economic, physical, and coping dimensions that affect health. We conducted the first citywide representative survey of energy insecurity and health in a sample of 1,950 New York City residents in 2022. We compiled ten indicators that characterize energy insecurity as experienced in New York City housing settings and then examined associations between number and types of indicators…
HOT TOPICS IN URBAN POLICY AND HEALTH: PROTECTING OUTDOOR WORKERS FROM EXTREME HEAT
Hot Topics in Urban Policy and Health: In a new UHC Policy Core blog series, we’ll highlight important topics in urban policy with implications for health and health equity. We hope the series will help our collaborators learn about various policy areas and potentially spark interest in future research and practice experience on these policies. This month we start with a (literal) hot topic in health policy: extreme heat and worker protections. Summer…
New Article: Justice and injustice in “Modular, Adaptive and Decentralized” (MAD) water systems
Centralized water infrastructure is challenged by climate change, infrastructure degradation, underinvestment, and shifting water demands. In its place, scholars have argued for “Modular, Adaptive and Decentralized” (MAD) water systems. We critically interrogate the environmental injustices that produce, and may be reproduced through, MAD water systems. We focus on two key dynamics by which MAD systems emerge: “shoving-out” of, and “opting-out” from, centralized water systems. Using a justice-based framework, we synthesize…
New Article: Indoor and Personal PM2.5 Samples Differ in Chemical Composition and Alter Zebrafish Behavior Based on Primary Fuel Source
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been linked to diverse human health impacts. Little is known about the potential heterogeneous impacts of PM2.5 generated from different indoor fuel sources and how exposure differs between personal and indoor environments. Therefore, we used PM2.5 collected by one stationary sampler in a kitchen and personal samplers (female and male participants), in homes (n = 24) in Kheri, India, that used either biomass or liquified petroleum gas…
These 10 scientists are on the cusp of changing the world
Leaving a tangible mark on your scientific field is a staggering achievement at any stage of your career. Each year, Popular Science honors 10 early-career researchers who’ve gotten a head start: The Brilliant 10. These researchers already stand out as innovators and change makers in their fields. They are asking the unasked questions, adopting novel methods, and pursuing remedies where none exist. Whether they are driven by the desire to fill a…
Continue reading “These 10 scientists are on the cusp of changing the world”
Invited Perspective: Important New Evidence for Glyphosate Hazard Assessment
Glyphosate is the most widely used pesticide in the world.1 It is also, arguably, the most controversial. Since being classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015,2 glyphosate has received close scrutiny from scientists and regulatory bodies. A new study in this issue of Environmental Health Perspectives by Chang et al.3 provides important new evidence to support glyphosate hazard assessment. The IARC conclusion was driven by the…
Continue reading “Invited Perspective: Important New Evidence for Glyphosate Hazard Assessment”
New Book: Kneeling Before Corn | UAPress
In “Kneeling Before Corn,” JPB Fellow Mike Anastario and his co-authors explore relationships between humans and the ‘three sisters’—corn, beans, and squash—in rural El Salvador. The book develops the concept of “more-than-human intimacies,” referring to the unique relationships that form between people and plants. It illustrates how these intimacies travel away from the milpa and return to it through processes of “vicarious intimacy.” This book offers a discerning portrayal of…
A Glimpse of Fellows’ Recent Publications, Fall 2023
Max Aung’s latest research investigates the potential link between hormonally active cancers and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phenols, and parabens. Using cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), his study aims to assess associations with self-reported previous cancer diagnoses. Full article here. Lara Cushing’s latest publication investigates the potential risk of drinking water contamination in Los Angeles County, California, revealing that a…
Continue reading “A Glimpse of Fellows’ Recent Publications, Fall 2023”