As global warming makes wildfires more likely, scientists are trying to learn how bad the smoke is for the health of people who live downwind.

Researchers at Michigan Technological University's research center in Ann Arbor are heading the study. A $452,000 federal stimulus grant from the National Institutes of Health funds the first year.

Lead scientist Nancy French says the study seeks to learn if more fires will bring more airborne particles and if that will affect human health.

Other researchers are environmental engineer Tyler Erickson and geological and mining engineer Shiliang Wu from Michigan Tech, Michele Ginsberg of San Diego County (Calif.) Public Health Services, and University of Maryland geographer Tatiana Loboda.