Using NASA Earth Observations to Strengthen Air Quality Applied Research and Management

Abstract

Ambient air pollution remains a significant global environmental health risk and cause of morbidity and mortality. In 2016, the World Health Organization reported that approximately 4.2 million deaths were attributed to ambient air pollution, causing increased risk of mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. To address this global health burden, epidemiologic research designs and methods should integrate innovative data and technology to further examine associations between variables, analyze data trends, and monitor environmental health risks to human health. By using NASA remote sensing data, products, and applications, scientists and stakeholders can identify air pollution trends from natural (e.g. wildfires) and anthropogenic (e.g. emissions from combustion processes) sources that can inform and strengthen air quality applied research and management. This presentation will provide an overview of NASA remote sensing data products and capabilities to detect, analyze, and monitor air pollutants for exposure assessment and public health surveillance. It will also highlight the value of these innovative data as they are applied to examine emerging environmental health risks (e.g. wildfires) in selected NASA-supported projects. This discussion will offer insight on approaches that can strengthen scientific collaborations and partnerships in public health surveillance and practice as well as communication strategies with stakeholders.