Making a Difference ~ Jun Wu
While she is renowned for her expertise in reproductive health and the environment, Jun Wu’s dedication to environmental health issues takes her in many different directions. From lead contamination in soils to health risks from extreme heat and lack of green space to air pollution from fireworks and wildfires and more, Jun is regularly sought out for her views on health emergencies due to environmental factors. 
Just this year Jun has been called upon as an expert by the media in numerous articles, interviews, and podcasts. We’ve listed some of them here with links to additional information.
In an article in Environmental Health News, Jun is quoted on her recent study on the association between reproductive health and the environment. Jun's research found correlations between high levels of air pollution and increased rates of postpartum depression. A main focus of her work is to help researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers understand the importance of considering environmental hazards when discussing health during and after pregnancy. “Research is one thing,” Jun says, “How to use the research to really help a vulnerable population is another.”
She is quoted in an article in Health about the amount of lead contained in soils surrounding nearly a quarter of U.S. households. Ingestion of lead can lead to serious health issues, especially among children. The EPA recently revised the level of acceptable lead in soils, and a new study found that about 29 million households exceeded this level. Emissions and pollution from industrial facilities, particles from degraded lead-based paint, old lead plumbing, lead in pesticides and fertilizers, and residue from fuels used in cars pre-1975 and aviation fuels are among the main sources of lead in soils, she said.
Around every Fourth of July, Jun is often asked to comment about the air quality resulting from fireworks. She was quoted in Time Magazine on the health hazards of fireworks and said that, along with burns and other injuries, fireworks can affect long-term health too since they release contaminants that can affect air quality and, as a result, potentially cause respiratory and other health issues. Jun says, “If you have to go outside, wearing an N95 mask would be good.” She was also interviewed on KABC-TV in a July 5th segment about the air pollution effects of fireworks. “July 5th is one of the most polluted days of the year. It can worsen people’s health conditions, including asthma, children’s outcomes, and pregnancy outcomes,” said Jun.
In an article in Very Well Health, Jun was asked to comment on cooling centers and other heat mitigation strategies. Policy and infrastructure changes are necessary for reducing heat-related health risks, she said, adding that “Local government, especially, can really do something. Planting trees is relatively simple. Also, painting a lighter color of roof and road—those things are relatively easy to do and may have multiple benefits. Green planning, in addition to reducing the heat, can also help with reduced air pollution.”
After a viral TikTok video raised questions about lead exposure in cups produced by Stanley, health experts including Jun were consulted about the potential danger. Most vacuum-insulated reusable water bottles use lead soldering because it's the easiest and cheapest method, says Jun. "It's not just Stanley." That said, the lead solder is completely enclosed by stainless steel and should not come in contact with your drink, she says. "The risk of lead exposure is really low unless the protective cover is missing or impaired."
Jun is passionate about community-based participatory and action research focusing on environmental health equity. Since 2017, she has partnered with community organizations in Southern California to tackle environmental injustice issues raised by community members, including air pollution, lead contamination, and climate change related adverse impacts. This strong community-academic partnership has led to multiple publications that provide evidence to shape local policies, such as the Santa Ana City General Plan Update. This partnership was featured in a 2022 article published in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) newsletter.
Clearly Jun is making a difference, working to improve human health wherever there are threats. Her comments reach a very wide audience and inform healthcare providers and lawmakers as they consider the importance of environmental hazards to public health and well-being when making policies that affect us all.
