The climate crisis is increasing wildfires and extreme heat, which put pregnant women and children at risk. Below are examples of some of the research led by Dr. Amy Padula and colleagues to estimate associations between wildfire smoke and adverse birth outcomes.
Dr. Padula is serving as a consultant to expand wildfires research to EaRTH Center members. 
To connect with services from the Translational Research Support Core, visit EaRTH Center's website.
ONES (Outstanding New Environmental Scientist)
We examined health impacts of exposure to wildfire smoke in California from 2007-2020 and found exposures during pregnancy were associated with preterm birth. We also examined the Camp Fire in 2018 and found similar results using generalized synthetic controls.
Research Programs
Air quality and IVF
As part of the AIR Study, Gabriela Gutierrez, UCSF medical student and EaRTH Center Environmental Scholar, is examining how wildfire smoke during the 2020 wildfires impact IVF outcomes.
Wildfire smoke and pregnancy outcomes
Working with our SPARK (Smoke from wildfires: Advancing Reproductive Knowledge) program, Anna Claire Fernandez, UCSF joint medical student and from EaRTH’s Environmental Scholar Program, published a paper showing wildfires between 2017-2020 in the San Francisco Bay Area were associated with higher birthweight and higher risk of large-for-gestational age.
Wildfires and fetal development
In collaboration with the Gaw and Robinson Labs, our SPARK (Smoke from wildfires: Advancing Reproductive Knowledge) program is studying how pregnancies were affected by wildfire smoke that reached the Bay Area in recent years to learn how it affects fetal growth and development. We are also following pregnant people during wildfire events to learn more about how location and behaviors during wildfires affect biological changes in blood and placenta.
Our Team
Amy Padula, PhD MSc
Associate Professor
UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Emilia Basilio, MD MPH
Assistant Professor
UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Anna Claire G. Fernández, MD(c)
Environmental Scholar
UCSF EaRTH Center
Stephanie Gaw, MD PhD
Associate Professor
UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Dana Goin, PhD
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology
Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
Rachel Morello-Frosch, PhD, MPH
Professor
Berkeley Public Health
Elizabeth M. Noth, PhD
Associate Researcher
Berkeley Public Health
Joshua Robinson, PhD
Associate Professor
UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Rachel Sklar, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment
Sally Picciotto, PhD
Associate Researcher
Berkeley Public Health
Our Partners
UC Center for Climate, Health and Equity
Gaw Laboratory
Robinson Lab
Sonoma Technology Inc.
Published Studies
Camp Fire smoke exposure in California (November 8-22, 2018) was associated with increased rates of preterm birth, with sensitive windows in the first trimester.
Pregnancy, wildfire, California, preterm birth, CAMP fire
Commentary on a study entitled “Unhealthy air quality secondary to wildfires is associated with lower blastocyst yield” that examined the impact of the 2020 Oregon wildfires on gamete development and fertility outcomes.
Fertility, wildfire, SF Bay area, IVF, commentary
Wildfires in the Western United States are a growing and significant source of air pollution that is eroding decades of progress in air pollution reduction. The effects on preterm birth during critical periods of pregnancy are unknown.
Pregnancy, wildfire, California, preterm birth
Wildfires have become more frequent and intense due to climate change and outdoor wildfire fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations differ from relatively smoothly varying total PM2.5. Thus, we introduced a conceptual model for computing long-term wildfire PM2.5 and assessed disproportionate exposures among marginalized communities.
Wildfire, California, environmental justice
Despite the occurrence of wildfires quadrupling over the past four decades, the health effects associated with wildfire smoke exposures during pregnancy remains unknown. Our study of 7923 singleton births in San Francisco between January 1, 2017 and March 12, 2020 examines associations between wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy and birthweight.
Pregnancy, birth weight, wildfire, SF Bay area
Climate change is accelerating the intensity and frequency of wildfires globally. Understanding how wildfire smoke (WS) may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and alterations in placental function via biological mechanisms is critical to mitigate the harms of exposure.
Wildfire, pregnancy, review
Living near or migrating to areas at high risk for wildfires may result in health consequences and increased disparities for pregnant people and their children.
Wildfire, pregnancy, California, preterm birth, environmental justice