EPA Research Partner Support Story: Smoke Sense mobile app translated into Spanish
Partners: Washington State Department of Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health and others
Challenge: Improving access to health risk communication among limited English proficiency populations
Resource: Smoke Sense mobile app with text translated into Spanish
Project Period: 2017 – 2024
Exposure to wildfire smoke is a community health issue that has been gaining the attention of public health professionals and organizations, especially in states where fires are frequently large and intense. Wildfire smoke has significant health implications for those near the fire, as well as for those living farther downwind. While these risks affect the population broadly, individuals with limited English proficiency are at increased risk of exposure due to limited access to health risk communication resources that provide clear information about wildfire smoke and the exposure reduction actions they can take.
“There is an urgent need to address research gaps and to prioritize practical solutions that can reduce smoke-related adverse health effects among agricultural workers. A large portion of the Pacific Northwest agricultural workforce is Spanish-speaking and at disproportionate risk of adverse occupational health effects from poor air quality during wildfire events. Growers have used the Smoke Sense app as part of their decision support to help reduce this exposure.” – University of Washington School of Public Health, Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, Outreach Director Edward Kasner PhD, MPH
The Smoke Sense citizen science project aims to increase awareness about the health risks associated with inhalation of wildfire smoke and actions individuals can take to reduce the amount of smoke they breathe. The Smoke Sense mobile app had over 44,000 participants. Through feedback from stakeholders, the Smoke Sense team learned that translating text in the app into Spanish would reduce a barrier for receiving information among individuals who speak Spanish and have limited English proficiency. Based on this feedback, the research team adapted the app’s source code to accept translated text. The first language the app has been translated into was Spanish, allowing Spanish-speaking individuals to engage more fully. This effort reduced barriers for individuals with limited English proficiency by making available within the Smoke Sense app information about evolving environmental health threats and protective health behaviors. Since December 2024, the Smoke Sense app has been unavailable for use. Please visit AirNow for the latest wildfire smoke and air quality information.