Working to protect your health from harmful emissions

Understanding how chemical exposures affect human health and how to reduce their associated risks is at the core of the groundbreaking work conducted at the Chemical Insights Research Institute.

CIRI Interim Executive Director Mark Wilson, Ph.D., and Research Director Christa Wright, Ph.D., lead teams making significant strides in addressing health and environmental challenges related to the wildland-urban interface, where undeveloped forests meet community development, and the effects of vaping. Wilson focuses on mitigating health risks from WUI wildfires, where synthetic materials release complex chemical emissions and cause air pollution. To combat these risks, CIRI experts have developed publicly available guidance to reduce emission exposure, including information on air quality monitoring and improving indoor conditions using HVAC systems and portable air cleaners. The institute’s resources and cleanup toolkit support safe recovery efforts.

In Wright’s comments on vaping and other electronic nicotine delivery systems, she addresses misconceptions by emphasizing potential health hazards. She highlights that vaping can increase nicotine addiction and involves harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. Wright also underscores the dangers of secondhand exposure. Through targeted research and community engagement, ULRI aims to correct these misconceptions and provide practical guidance for safer living environments. This work is essential in translating complex scientific insights into actionable public health measures.

Resources
UL 200C: https://chemicalinsights.org/?s=200c?...
Chemical Insights Research Institute: https://chemicalinsights.org/?utm_sou...
2024 Impact Report: https://ul.org/our-work/impact-report...


Meet the experts
Mark Wilson, Ph.D.: https://ul.org/people/mark-wilson/?ut...
Christa Wright, Ph.D.:   / christa-wright-6228b2169  
Kristen Delphos: https://ul.org/people/kristen-delphos...

Find UL Research Institutes online
Website: https://ul.org/?utm_source=youtube&ut...
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Bluesky: https://s.ul.org/bluesky
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