Illustration of a city and sun with a thermometer indicating high temperatures.

Heat & Wildfire Smoke Research Project

A collaboration between DRI and Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH)

What is this research project about?

Summertime in Washoe County can be hot and smoky. People that have a central air-conditioning (AC) unit at home can run it to keep the air cool and clean. People that don’t have AC have a harder time protecting their health. The purpose of this research project is to learn how heat and smoke impact the health of people that don’t have AC. This will help us know how to help them protect their health.

How the Program Works
Sign up to participate!

Hot Weather Can Make You Sick:

Illustration of a person experiencing Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke.

Heat Exhaustion: Dizziness, Nausea, and Weakness. Heat Stroke: Confusion, Throbbing Headache, and Passing Out.

Wildfire Smoke Can Make You Sick:

Illustration of a body showing the sinuses and lungs.

Stinging Eyes, Scratchy Throat, Runny Nose, Coughing, Sinus Irritation, Wheezing, Shortness of Breath, Headaches, Fatigue, Fast Heartbeat.

What will I be asked to do?

We will ask you to let us go to your home 5 times between spring 2024 and spring 2025. We will call you to set up a time that is good for you. We will be there for about an hour each time.

Here’s what we’ll do the 1st time we go to your home.
We’ll get things set up BEFORE it gets hot and smoky:

  1. Put up indoor and outdoor heat and smoke sensors so that we know how hot and smoky it gets at your home.
  2. Talk to you about your health and check your heart and lungs. We’ll check your heart function and blood oxygen levels using a smart sensor clipped onto the outside of your finger. We’ll check your lung capacity by asking you to blow air into a small fan. This will let us know how heat and smoke might affect your health.
  3. Talk to you about what you normally do when it’s hot and smoky. This will let us know how you normally protect your health.
image of the sensor box used to collect data on the conditions.

Example of outdoor heat and smoke sensor box. The indoor heat and smoke sensor box is the same (minus the solar panel)

Here’s what we’ll do the 2nd-4th times we go to your home.
We’ll check-in on things WHEN IT IS hot and smoky:

  1. Talk to you again about your health and check your heart and lungs. This will let us know how your health is being affected by heat and smoke.
  2. Talk to you about what you’ve been doing when it’s hot and smoky. This will let us know what you’ve been doing to protect your health.

Here’s what we’ll do the 5th time we go to your home.
We’ll take things down and share what we’ve learned:

  1. We’ll take down the indoor and outdoor heat and smoke sensors.
  2. We’ll share everything we learned about how heat and smoke are affecting your health.
  3. We’ll share some things you can do to protect your health.

Who can be in this research project?

Adults (18 or older) who live in Washoe County that don’t have AC.

Will this research project cost me anything?

No, the research project will not cost you anything to participate. You can also choose to leave the research project at any time.

Will I receive something from this research project?

We will give you $300 in gift cards:

  • $50 during the 1st visit

  • $50 during the 2nd visit

  • $50 during the 3rd visit

  • $100 during the 4th visit

  • $50 during the 5th visit

Will DRI or NNPH share my name or address with anyone?

No, your personally identifiable information will not be shared.

Who do I contact with questions?

heatandsmokeproject@gmail.com

CNAP: A NOAA CAP/RISA Team
DRI logo
Northern Nevada Public Health Serving Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County.