FairAir series to explore Interior Alaska air quality

January 15, 2021

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and International Arctic Research Center will co-host a three-part series of free, discussion-based virtual talks by experts on indoor air quality.

FairAir will include talks on Wednesdays, Jan. 20, Feb. 3 and Feb. 17. Talks start at 6 p.m. and are hosted via Zoom and streamed live to the UAF Facebook page.

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Attendees are encouraged to submit their Fairbanks air quality questions or concerns to help stimulate the discussion. Questions can also be shared during the event, which will be recorded and made available to the public.

These discussions are a part of the Fairbanks Winter Air Study funded by the National Science Foundation. FairAir is a four-year project that investigates how extreme winter conditions affect indoor and outdoor air quality in the Arctic.

Air quality is a topic of special interest for Alaskans. During the cold and dark winter months, residents spend much of their time indoors, increasing their exposure to household chemicals, dust and pollutants. During summer, smoke from wildfires can drastically reduce air quality and pose severe health risks.

The three-part series includes:

Jan. 20: "Cooking particles, cleaners and health," Delphine Farmer, associate professor of atmospheric chemistry, Colorado State University

Feb. 3: "Outside-in and inside-out: The air we breathe indoors," Peter DeCarlo, associate professor of environmental health and engineering, Johns Hopkins University

Feb. 17: "Wildfire smoke and health," Emily Fischer, associate professor of atmospheric science, Colorado State University

For more information about the lectures, contact Bill Simpson at wrsimpson@alaska.edu or 907-474-7235 or visit the Facebook event page.