Dr. Kirk R. Smith, professor of global environmental health at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, was among 10 recipients recognized for their environmental achievements with the 15th annual Heinz Awards, announced Tuesday, September 15 by the Heinz Family Foundation. Dr. Smith was recognized for his research exposing the relationships among air pollution, household fuel use, climate and health. The foundation noted he was the first to recognize and quantify the magnitude of the pollution exposure resulting from cooking indoors with solid fuels, such as wood and other biomass.

About half of the world's population uses such fuels daily, and the health impacts—ranging from pneumonia, tuberculosis, cataracts and chronic lung diseases—are disproportionately felt by the poorest women and children in developing countries. Dr. Smith also first recognized in poor countries the potential major co-benefits for both health and climate from improvements in household energy technologies.

Throughout his career, Dr. Smith has advised major international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, and his research, including the first measurements of the global warming impacts of stoves, is routinely cited by other scientists. His research on the health and climate effects from indoor cooking with solid fuels contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that helped earn the organization a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, shared with former Vice President Al Gore. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

"The Heinz Awards seeks to find those individuals who are quietly and boldly working to improve this world," said Mrs. Teresa Heinz, widow of Senator John Heinz and chair of the Heinz Family Foundation. "Our recipients this year have already accomplished so much, but there is still important work left to do. This year's recipients give me great hope that a transformation is underway, that it will continue, and that it will grow and ultimately succeed in preserving our common home."

Past recipients of Heinz Awards include author Mr. Dave Eggers, medical anthropologist; Dr. Paul Farmer, "environmental watchdog"; Mr. Thomas FitzGerald, marine biologist; Dr. Jane Lubchenco; Dr. Paul Anastas, a leader in the "green chemistry movement"; and physicist Dr. John Holdren, who is now director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President.

On Wednesday, October 28, each recipient will receive a $100,000 unrestricted award along with a medallion at a private ceremony in Washington, DC.

Additional information about Mrs. Teresa Heinz, the Heinz Family Foundation and each of the recipients is available online at www.heinzawards.net.