Richard Peltier
Professor of Environmental Health Sciences University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Expertise
Biography
His urgent research at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic testing whether health care workers could safely reuse face masks designed for one-time use was noted around the world.
He is also known for his research on the properties of face masks as protection against air pollution.
Peltier’s expertise is often sought by national media outlets, government agencies and NGOs, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency He currently serves on the World Health Organization's Global Air Pollution and Health Technical Advisory Group.
Video
Education
Georgia Institute of Technology
Ph.D.
Atmospheric Chemistry
Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health
Masters of Public Health
Public Health
University of Massachusetts
B.S.
Biology
Select Recent Media Coverage
We Asked the Experts: How to Protect Yourself From Smoke During California Fires
CNET online
2025-01-11
Rick Peltier explains how people protect themselves from smoke during California’s wildfires.“Wood smoke contains many toxic chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens, and there is clear evidence in the scientific research world that links wood smoke exposure to really important adverse health outcomes,” Peltier said. He recommends using air conditioner filters with a higher MERV rating and wearing a N95 or KN95 mask when outdoors.
New safety rules ahead for toxic gas used to sterilize medical devices
CBS News tv
2024-02-29
Richard Peltier, professor of environmental health sciences, is quoted in an article on more stringent emissions rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency for sterilization of medical devices. He says stronger regulation will help prevent sterilization facilities from skirting the rules. “One of the dirty secrets is that a lot of it is self-regulated or self-policed,” Peltier says.
Smog towers, cloud seeding not solution to India's air pollution problem: US scientist
The Times of India online
2024-02-19
UMass Amherst's Richard Peltier discusses solutions to India’s air pollution problem, emphasizing the need to control the source of the pollution. Peltier is a member of the World Health Organization’s Global Air Pollution and Health Technical Advisory Group.
California and other Western states see spikes in unhealthy air pollution as national levels improve
NBC News online
2023-04-19
Wildfires were largely responsible for the short-term spikes, according to Richard Peltier, an associate professor of environmental health sciences at University of Massachusetts Amherst, who was not involved in the report. “We’ve made great strides across the United States to improve our air quality, but we’re still getting pinched by these external effects like wildfires that are related to climate change,” he said.
Only hot spots and flare-ups are left of the Indiana plastics recycling plant fire. But residents’ health worries linger as EPA detects asbestos and organic pollutants
CNN tv
2023-02-16
“Contaminated soil will continue (to) leech contaminants, both up into the air, and down into the surrounding ground,” Richard Peltier, an environmental health scientist at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, told CNN in an email. “Every time it rains, a flood of new contaminants will enter the ecosystem.”
Woman wants Haverhill cemetery soil tested after 'suspicious' waste dumped
CBS Boston tv
2022-10-28
It sure looks suspicious if there are hazardous components. I'd be very concerned about the soil contamination, and water contamination nearby because these things, once they get into the ground and into the soil, they will move whenever it rains," explained Richard Peltier, a University of Massachusetts Amherst Professor of Environmental Health Sciences.
Pollution's fatal threat gains urgency after 9 million died in one year
NBC News online
2022-05-17
Richard Peltie comments on a newly-published report showing that air, water and toxic chemical pollution is responsible for around 9 million premature deaths each year, or one in six globally, on a par with deaths from smoking.
The Flaming Lips Performed to People in Literal Bubbles. Is It Safer?
The New York Times online
2021-01-25
Richard Peltier comments about the safety of individual bubbles being used by audience and band members during recent concerts by the Flaming Lips.
Select Publications
There’s no reason not to wear a mask — and still plenty of reasons to wear one
The Washington PostRichard Peltier
2021-07-28
Richard Peltier, writes a column about the benefits of continuing to wear a mask to protect against COVID-19 and why he chooses to still wear one. Peltier says “it is not a sign of weakness to wear a mask but a sign of compassion for others. It is not a political statement; it is one based in science.”
