Grantee Research Project Results
Time-Relevant Communication of Ozone and Particulate AirPollution Data: A Pilot Project to Raise Public Awareness and Promote ExposureReduction
EPA Grant Number: R827058Title: Time-Relevant Communication of Ozone and Particulate AirPollution Data: A Pilot Project to Raise Public Awareness and Promote ExposureReduction
Investigators: Goode, Matthew E. , Alter, Lee , Loh, Penn , Seidman, Nancy , Koutrakis, Petros
Current Investigators: Goode, Matthew E. , Allen, George , Sheehan, Jerry , Alter, Lee , Loh, Penn
Institution: Suffolk County Conservation District
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: November 1, 1998 through October 31, 2000
Project Amount: $527,000
RFA: Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) (1998) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Environmental Statistics , Water , Air , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Description:
The primary objective of this pilot project is to develop and implement real-time ambient air pollution monitoring and data management techniques for ozone, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon soot (BC), and visibility to allow time-relevant communication of these data to the public in a way that can be (1) readily available, (2) easily understood, (3) applied by members of the community to reduce human exposure, and (4) used to increase public awareness and understanding of pollution sources, health effects, and precautionary measures.
Approach:
As part of its state-wide PM2.5 monitoring effort, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) is setting up a monitoring site to determine PM2.5 mass and chemical composition in Roxbury, a heavily urbanized neighborhood in the heart of Boston. The site is expected to be impacted by local bus and truck sources, and there is existing community concern about exposure to diesel exhaust. This project will build on the state's monitoring effort in Roxbury by adding hourly measurements of ozone, PM2.5, BC, and on-site weather conditions. Ozone and PM2.5 were chosen because of heightened concern of their health effects, as shown by the EPA's recent revision to the national air quality standards. BC was chosen because it is a strong indicator of local diesel emissions. A digital camera providing real-time images of the Boston coast and skyline will garner public interest and integrate other air quality values into the local, health-related concerns. Local weather data will help to explain the day-to-day variability of the pollutants. Time-relevant data will be made widely available on the world wide web, by telephone hotline, email/fax listserver, local cable and radio media, and (funds permitting) an interactive kiosk. An existing ozone mapping system will be integrated with the project and enhanced to include real-time PM2.5 data. We will hold community workshops and involve local schools and community health centers as part of our outreach and education effort. Residents will perform ozone, PM2.5, and BC monitoring in locations throughout the community as part of the education and public awareness process. Evaluation and dissemination of project results are included in the proposal to broaden project benefits to other EMPACT cities.
Expected Results:
This project will affect and improve daily decisions by Roxbury residents relating to their personal health. Greater awareness and understanding of air pollution issues will also improve the community's participation in policy decisions affecting Roxbury's long-term vitality. This project will strengthen existing partnerships within the community and provide technical solutions related to time-relevant collection, processing, and reporting of air quality data to the public, including measurement techniques that have not been widely used.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 4 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
EMPACT, air, mobile sources, sensitive populations, monitoring, transportation, northeast., RFA, Health, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Air, Geographic Area, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Ecological Risk Assessment, State, particulate matter, genetic susceptability, Environmental Chemistry, tropospheric ozone, Monitoring/Modeling, air toxics, Environmental Monitoring, ecosystem health, diesel exhaust, human exposue, air quality, environmental hazard exposures, health risks, sensitive populations, fine particulates, health effects, chemical characteristics, stratospheric ozone, community-based approach, fine particles, atmospheric chemistry, human exposure, community-based, community outreach, public access, public outreach, real-time monitoring, mobile sources, web site development, children, exposure, particulates, ozone , toxics, ozone, air pollutants, air pollution, particulate, public information, fine particle formation, fine particle levels, modeling, carbon black, EMPACT, PM2.5, soot, Massachusetts (MA), outreach and education, PM 2.5, environmental effectsRelevant Websites:
Air Monitoring in Massachusetts Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.