2024 ULRI Annual Research Symposium Proceedings
Creators: name: UL Research Institutes
Publisher: name: UL Research Institutes
Year: 2025
Subjects: classificationCode: 4206
subject: Public health
classificationCode: 420603
subject: Health promotion
classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 33
subject: Built environment and design
classificationCode: 4105
subject: Pollution and contamination
classificationCode: 370102
subject: Air pollution processes and air quality measurement
classificationCode: 401101
subject: Air pollution modelling and control
classificationCode: 320605
subject: Nanotoxicology, health and safety
classificationCode: 401104
subject: Health and ecological risk assessment
classificationCode: 420305
subject: Health and community services
classificationCode: 400507
subject: Fire safety engineering
classificationCode: 330308
subject: Fire safety design
classificationCode: 34
subject: Chemical sciences
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
classificationCode: 400402
subject: Chemical and thermal processes in energy and combustion
classificationCode: 3403
subject: Macromolecular and materials chemistry
classificationCode: 340304
subject: Optical properties of materials
classificationCode: 340305
subject: Physical properties of materials
classificationCode: 340307
subject: Structure and dynamics of materials
classificationCode: 350505
subject: Occupational and workplace health and safety
classificationCode: 350703
subject: Disaster and emergency management
classificationCode: 401106
subject: Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling
classificationCode: 400513
subject: Water resources engineering
classificationCode: 4101
subject: Climate change impacts and adaptation
classificationCode: 3702
subject: Climate change science
classificationCode: 410101
subject: Carbon sequestration science
classificationCode: 410102
subject: Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation
classificationCode: 410103
subject: Human impacts of climate change and human adaptation
classificationCode: 460402
subject: Data and information privacy
classificationCode: 480706
subject: Privacy and data rights
classificationCode: 4602
subject: Artificial intelligence
classificationCode: 460208
subject: Natural language processing

description: <b>Overview:</b> The purpose of the annual ULRI Research Symposium is to accelerate discovery by facilitating collaboration among leaders from various organizations and fields in support of ULRI’s mission. For 2024, the symposium theme revolved around “Protecting Human Health and Safety in the Modern World.” Scientific and policy experts explored key topics like human exposure to consumer chemicals and disease relationships, wildfires and their chronic health impacts on communities, climate change and resiliency measures for guarding health and well-being, and new sustainable approaches for protecting health and the environment. The goal of the symposium was to share the latest science on these important societal topics and bridge pathways forward for the protection of public health.<b>Preface:</b>The following proceedings provide a summary of technical information exchanged during the on-site 2024 Annual Research Symposium, “Protecting Human Health and Safety in the Modern World,” hosted by UL Research Institutes (ULRI) in Atlanta, Georgia, September 30 – October 2. This summary is not intended to provide a complete transcription of each speaker’s presentation or participant’s specific comments. Speakers may be contacted directly for details of their presentations and subject matter expertise. These proceedings are provided to share summaries of the presentations among all stakeholders. We hope this exchange of information will enable more collaborative discussions, research, innovation, informed policy advancement, and science-based initiatives around protecting human health.<b>Acknowledgments:</b>With gratitude, we acknowledge the speakers of the 2024 Annual Research Symposium, “Protecting Human Health and Safety in the Modern World,” for their engaging, passionate, and professional commitment. We also acknowledge the general participants who attended the symposium and contributed with their knowledge and interests as key stakeholders in this open and engaging dialogue.<b>Morning October 1, 2024:</b> <b>Human Health and Environmental Pollution Panel Discussion</b>Moderators:Christa Wright, PhD, Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI)/ULRIJudy Jeevarajan, PhD, Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI)/ULRIPanelists:Christopher (Chris) P Weis, PhD, Weis Toxicology, LLCJunfeng (Jim) Zhang, PhD, Duke UniversityMichael Caudle, PhD, Emory UniversityDoug Walker, PhD, Emory University<b>Morning, October 1, 2024:</b><b> </b><b>Research Session Track #1 – Health Impacts of Environmental Pollution</b>Facilitator: Qian Zhang, PhD, CIRI/ULRIPresenters:Roby Greenwald, PhD, Georgia State University – Black Carbon and PM2.5 Personal Exposure Compared to Institutional Settings: Preliminary Results from the Air Pollution Exposure in Child Care Settings (APECCS) StudyJonna Hynynen, PhD, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) – Exploring the Environmental Impact of Lithium [Li]-Ion Battery Fires: Gas, Particulates, and Extinguishing Water ContaminationsEthell Vereen Jr., PhD, MSEH, Morehouse College – Man, Microbes, and a Metropolitan WatershedMike Bergin, PhD, Duke University – Improving Global Air Quality: Combining Sensors, Satellites, and Data Analytics<b>Morning, October 1, 2024:</b> <b>Research Session Track #2 – Impact of Consumer Products on Environmental Pollution</b>Facilitator: Vinay Premnath, MS, ESRI/ULRIPresenters:Maureen Meister, PhD, RD, CIRI/ULRI – ENDS-Induced Heavy Metal Exposure and Oxidative Injury is Mediated by Vaping BehaviorWeikang Li, PhD, ExPost – Addressing the Safety Concerns of Spent Lithium-ion Batteries from Electrochemical and Chemical PerspectivesXin Hu, PhD, Emory University – Demystifying Safety and Quality: Plant-Derived vs. Synthetic CBD in Personal Care ProductsJosh Lamb, PhD, Sandia National Laboratories – Environmental Impact of Li-Ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Incidents Compared to Other Fires<b>Afternoon, October 1, 2024</b><b>: </b><b>Resiliency for Health and Well-Being Panel Discussion</b>Moderators:Holley Henderson, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Fellow, Fitwel Ambassador, WELL AP, CIRI/ULRI, H2 EcodesignJill Crisman, PhD, Digital Safety Research Institute (DSRI)/ULRIPanelists:Maureen Lichtveld, MD, MPH, University of PittsburghAdele Houghton, FAIA, DrPH, LEED Accredited Professional (AP), Biositu/Harvard UniversityHonorable Brendan Owens, U.S. DODMatt Trowbridge, MD, MPH, University of Virginia School of Medicine<b>Afternoon, October 1, 20</b><b>24</b><b>: </b><b>Research Session Track #1 – Impacts of Disasters and Extreme Weather</b>Facilitator: Betsy Gast, MA, LEED AP, CIRI/ULRI, Cantilever Instruction + DesignPresenters:Alex Azan, MD, New York University – Evaluating the Impact of Cool Roofs on Pediatric Heat-Related Health Outcomes in NYCKarema Seliem, USGBC – Current Trends in Resilience and Health for Buildings and CommunitiesAndrew Whelton, PhD, Purdue University – Mitigation of Wildfire Damage to Drinking Water SystemsZach Calhoun, PhD Candidate, Duke University – Matching Heat Maps to Health Outcomes: Urban Heat Stress and Opportunities to Intervene<br><b>Afternoon, October 1, 202</b><b>4</b><b>: </b><b>Research Session Track #2 – Addressing Health and Well-Being</b>Facilitator: Sean McGregor, PhD, DSRI/ULRIPresenters:Francisco Iacobelli, PhD, MSCS, Loyola University, Chicago – Purposeful AI Design for Low-Literacy LatinasAbel Kho, MD, MS, FACMI, Northwestern University – Data Privacy as an Enabler of Health InsightsNick Judd, PhD, DSRI/ULRI – Measuring Hazards in Health-Related Applications of Large Language ModelsKenneth Holstein, PhD, Carnegie-Mellon University – Designing for Complementarity in AI-Augmented Work<b>Morning, October 2, 202</b><b>4</b><b>: </b><b>2024 Symposium Keynote Address</b>Joel Tickner, ScD, University of Massachusetts-Lowell/Change Chemistry From Assessing Problems to Scaling Solutions: Preventing Toxic Chemical Risks Through Safer Chemicals and Materials<br><b>Morning, October 2, 20</b><b>2</b><b>4</b><b>: </b><b>Sustainable Advances in Materials and Technologies Panel Discussion</b>Moderators:Cristi Bell Huff, PhD, CIRI/ULRIStuart Miller, PhD, Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI)/ULRIPanelists:William Paddock, MBA, WAP SustainabilityDawn Haynie, PhD, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)/Georgia State UniversityHeather McKenney, MPH, ChemFORWARDDavid Carlson, PhD, Duke University<br><b>Morning, October 2, 2024</b><b>: </b><b>Research Session Track #1 – Advances in Materials</b>Facilitator: Debra Harris, PhD, Baylor University/RAD ConsultantsPresenters:Lance Davis, FAIA, LEED Fellow, MSU Fellow, Federal Employee – The Federal Government Advances Material Decarbonization and EquityScott Steady, UL Solutions – Environmental Product Declarations and Product Carbon Footprint Verification: Tools for Selecting Lower Impact MaterialsSam Jackson, PhD, HudsonAlpha – Advanced Biobased Materials for a Low Carbon FuturePatrick Chepaitis, MS, CIRI/ULRI – Climate Change and Indoor Material Emissions<br><b>Morning, October 2, 2024</b><b>: </b><b>Research Session Track #2 – Advances in Pollution Management</b>Facilitator: David Kalafut, CIRI/ULRIPresenters:Richard (Rick) Neitzel, PhD, CIH, FAIHA, University of Michigan – Informal Electronic Waste Recycling Exposures and ImpactsTimur Islamoglu, PhD, MDRI/ULRI – Porous Material Development towards Atmospheric Water HarvestingKonstantinos (Kostas) Goulas, PhD, Oregon State University – Hydrodechlorination of Polyvinyl Chloride to Value-Added Hydrocarbon WaxesBeth Koigi, MA, Majik Water – Majik Water: Using Technology to Solve Global Challenges<br><b>Afternoon, October 2, 2024</b><b>: </b><b>Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires Panel Discussion</b>Moderators:Mark Wilson, MSPH, PhD, CIH, CIRI/ULRISteve Kerber, PhD, Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI)/ULRIPanelists:Olorunfemi (Femi) Adetona, PhD, Ohio State UniversityIlona Jaspers, PhD, University of North CarolinaKenny Fent, PhD, CIH, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)Diana Hamer, PhD, National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI)<br><b>Afternoon, October 2, 2024</b><b>: </b><b>Research Session Track #1 – Community Impacts and Risk Management</b>Facilitator: Birgitte Messerschmidt, MSc, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)Presenters:Timothy Nurkiewicz, PhD, West Virginia University – Characterization of WUI Fire Emissions Created in a Novel Combustion GeneratorRawad Saleh, PhD, University of Georgia – Linking Smoke to Fire: The Effect of Burn Conditions in Wildland Fires on Smoke Production and Atmospheric ProcessingCynthia Choo, PhD, CIRI/ULRI – Field to Lab: Assessing Direct and Indirect Emissions from Wildland-Urban Interface FiresDebra Harris, PhD, Baylor University/RAD Consultants – Practical Strategies to Deploy Before, During, and After WUI Fires<br><b>Afternoon, October 2, 202</b><b>4</b><b>: </b><b>Research Session Track #2 – Impacts on Community and Firefighter Health</b>Facilitator: Gavin Horn, PhD, FSRI/ULRIPresenters:Alexandra Noël, PhD, Louisiana State University – Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Pulmonary HealthZhanghua Chen, PhD, University of Southern California – The Effects of Using HEPA Purifiers on Indoor Air Pollution and Cardiometabolic HealthCDR Catherine Beaucham, PhD, CIH, RS/REHS, DAAS, NIOSH – Biomonitoring of Firefighters: Application During the 2023 Maui WildfiresNicholas Dow, MS, FSRI/ULRI – Pilot Study on Fire Effluent Condensate from Full-Scale Residential Fires<br><br>