Doctoral Student Presents Oklahoma Wildfire Smoke Research at Statewide Conference

Hsiao-Chuan Fan, a doctoral student in the Hudson College of Public Health’s Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, recently presented findings from the Oklahoma Air Quality Impacts on Children’s Health, or OK-AIR, project at the Oklahoma Public Health Association Annual Conference.

Fan’s oral presentation explored how wildfire smoke may affect indoor air quality and illness-related absences among young children attending Oklahoma Early Care and Education centers.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first U.S. study to examine the relationship between Oklahoma wildfire smoke, indoor PM2.5 and illness-related absences in Early Care and Education centers,” said Fan’s advisor, Changjie Cai, Ph.D. “I am very proud of her.”

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that can travel deep into the lungs and pose health risks, particularly for young children and other vulnerable populations. Although children may spend much of their day indoors, outdoor wildfire smoke can still affect the air they breathe inside child care facilities.

Using satellite-based fire detection data, the research team found that Oklahoma ranked second nationally in fire activity in February 2024 and first in March 2024. Data collected through the first cohort of the OK-AIR project also showed that Oklahoma greater regional fire activity was associated with higher indoor PM2.5 concentrations in participating ECE centers. Greater fire activity was also associated with increased illness-related absenteeism among children from birth through age 5.

Fan’s presentation highlighted an important and timely public health concern for Oklahoma, where wildfire activity can affect communities across the state. The research may help strengthen understanding of how environmental conditions influence indoor spaces and the health and well-being of young children.

By presenting her work to public health professionals from across Oklahoma, Fan contributed valuable student-led research to broader conversations about air quality, environmental health and strategies for protecting children in early care settings. Her achievement also reflects the Hudson College’s commitment to preparing emerging researchers to address pressing public health challenges in Oklahoma and beyond.