Extreme heat is killing hundreds of thousands of people every year — and the annual toll is growing. This week, extreme heat has once again blistered parts of the continent and East Asia. Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.

Western Washington’s luck avoiding wildfire smoke so far this summer is running out. A wildfire smoke alert was issued Monday for most of the Puget Sound region, with air quality likely to deteriorate Monday afternoon and reach unhealthy levels Tuesday. Air quality will remain poor throughout the week before finally clearing Friday. Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.

Epidemiologists said the country’s slow, sometimes haphazard approach to assessing heat mortality makes that a dramatic undercount.  Kristie Ebi, Professor of Global Health, is quoted.

Nippon Dynawave appeared to tout a culture of safety leading up to the May 26 chemical tank collapse, where 11 people died. Marissa Baker, associate professor and Eddie Kasner, associate teaching professor, both of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, are quoted.