Posters & Papers

Papers published by CARE students

• Hartnett, N., Jing, P., Zhang, B., Stuart, M., Wang, J. (2025). Wildfire Smoke and PM2.5 Pollution in Chicago: Evidence from 2019 to 2023. Urban Climate, 61, 102472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2025.102472 

From 2019 to 2023, Chicago experienced a sharp rise in high-pollution days due to wildfire smoke transported from distant fires, despite having no local wildfires. This study found that the number of days with PM2.5 levels above the federal 24-hour health standard increased from 0 to 11 annually, with 10 of those days occurring in 2023 alone. The results highlight the growing public health threat posed by wildfire smoke in urban areas far from fire zones, especially as climate change intensifies wildfire activity.

• Wenner, M.M., Ries-Roncalli, A., Whalen, M.C.R., Jing, P. (2024). The Relationship between Indoor and Outdoor Fine Particulate Matter in a High-Rise Building in Chicago Monitored by PurpleAir Sensors. Sensors, 24, 2493. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24082493

The study, carried out in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, reveals that outdoor fine particle levels decrease with height, especially at night, while indoor levels rise slightly on higher floors during busy work hours, likely due to more pollution getting in. Both indoors and outdoors, particle levels hit their highest around midday, with indoor air quality generally better than outside. Utilizing low-cost PurpleAir sensors, this research offers insights into fine particle distribution in urban high-rise buildings, providing valuable data for community and policy decisions regarding air pollution.

Posters presented to the LSMRCE Conference 2023

• Nerge, Andromeda, et al. The Relationship between PM2.5 and Traffic in Chicago during July-December 2022. Presented at the Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence Conference, Inclusion by Design: Nurturing Diversity in STEM, Oak Brook, Illinois. 4 November 2023.

• Ries-Roncalli, Anna, et al. Comparing Indoor and Outdoor PM2.5 Concentrations in the Greater Chicago Area from January 2022 to May 2023. Presented at the Louis Stokes Midwest Reginoal Center of Excellence Conference, Inclusion by Design: Nurturing Diversity in STEM, Oak Brook, Illinois. 4 November 2023.

• Belfiore, Ciara Rose, et al. The Relationship between Visibility and PM2.5 in Chicago during 2022. Presented at the Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence Conference, Inclusion by Design: Nurturing Diversity in STEM, Oak Brook, Illinois. 4 November 2023.

• Miklos, Kyleigh, et al. The Relationship between Wind Direction and PM2.5 in Chicago during Summer 2022. Presented at the Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence Conference, Inclusion by Design: Nurturing Diversity in STEM, Oak Brook, Illinois. 4 November 2023. Winner of the First Place Poster Award.

• Wilbon, Lydia, et al. The Relationship between Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone in the North and South Sides of Chicago in Summer 2022. Presented at the Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence Conference, Inclusion by Design: Nurturing Diversity in STEM, Oak Brook, Illinois. 4 November 2023. 

• Wenner, Megan, et al. The Relationship Between PM2.5 and Altitude in Chicago During Spring 2023. Presented at the Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence Conference, Inclusion by Design: Nurturing Diversity in STEM, Oak Brook, Illinois. 4 November 2023.

• Venuso, Sherelyn, et al. The Relationship between Fine Particle Pollution and Income-racial Status in Chicago. Presented at the Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence Conference, Inclusion by Design: Nurturing Diversity in STEM, Oak Brook, Illinois. 4 November 2023.

• Crabtree, Thomas, et al. The Impact of Wildfire Smoke on the Diurnal Cycles of PM2.5 and NO2 in the Chicago Region. Presented at the Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence Conference, Inclusion by Design: Nurturing Diversity in STEM, Oak Brook, Illinois. 4 November 2023.

Posters presented to the AGU Fall Meeting 2022

• Barraza Zapata, Ixchel, et al., Demographics and PM2.5 Concentrations in Edgewater and Southeast Chicago, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022. 

• Bower, Ethan, et al., Monthly Comparison of PM10 Concentrations in the Greater Chicago Area from 2006-2021, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022. 

• Coleman, Grant, et al.,  The Relationship Between Proximity to a Major Road and PM2.5 in Chicago during Late Spring (May—June) 2022, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.

• Estrada, Andy, et al., The Relationship between Non-English Speaking Communities and PM2.5 in the Chicago Metropolitan Area during 2015–2022, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022. 

• Haynes, Abbey, et al., Evaluating Air Quality Improvement in Chicago’s Southside Using EPA Air Sensor Data, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.

• Olivera Cerpa, Alyssa, et al., The Relationship Between Land Development Levels and PM2.5 in North East and East Central Illinois, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022. 

• Piccolo, Nicolina, et al.,  Assessing the Contribution of Traffic to the Diurnal Variability and Weekday vs. Weekend Fine Particulate Matter Concentrations in Chicago Communities Using PurpleAir Monitors, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.

• Riopedre, Mereya, et al., The Relationship Between Walkability and PM2.5 within Chicago and Across the United States, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.