PUBLIC ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DATA IN TUCSON,ARIZONA
Description:
Tucson, Arizona is a unique western urban area with a strong public
appreciation for and commitment to the surrounding natural environment.
Tucsonans have shown increasing concern over air pollution, both in terms of
individual health and environmental impacts that may be occurring in the
mountains and high desert lands that are locally, nationally, and
internationally valued for their pristine condition. Saguaro National Park,
which lies adjacent to both the eastern and western boundaries of the
metropolitan area, is a federally designated Class I Wilderness Area threatened
by Tucson's air pollution.
Public communication is particularly important in our region since many
residents move here specifically to alleviate health problems. The percentage of
residents that are sensitive to air pollutants, even at levels below the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), is higher than the national
average. There are also economically disadvantaged areas within the city that
have higher documented rates of pediatric asthma. Timely dissemination of air
pollution data is particularly important to these individuals, especially
children, in order to avoid exposures that may exacerbate acute disease
responses.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
Using air quality as the pilot medium, the overall objective will be to
produce media and public communication programs about air quality, the Tucson
environment, health concerns, and local solutions to improve air quality. This
integrated, community-based program will: 1) collect and disseminate accurate,
understandable, and timely air pollution information; 2) expand associated
outreach and education programs to improve understanding of the relationships
between air quality, climate and health effects; and 3) allow the community to
address local air pollution problems and solutions based on credible scientific
information.
Record Details:
Record Type:PROJECT(
ABSTRACT
)
Start Date:11/01/1998
Completion Date:10/31/2000
Record ID:
52506
Keywords:
EMPACT, AIR, MONITORING, SOUTHWEST.,
Related Organizations:
Role
:OWNER
Organization Name
:PIMA COUNTY
Citation
:Tucson
State
:AZ
Project Information:
Approach
:Contained within a comprehensive Information Management System, mapping protocols will be developed for web-based and graphic reporting of air quality and associated urban air parameters. Previously unavailable and highly technical information from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's continuous measurement systems for visibility and urban haze research in Pima County will be presented in understandable, usable, real-time formats. Raw data transformation of a center city transmissometer, one urban and one Class I Wilderness nephelometer, and surface meteorological stations will be used to show variations in visual air quality and referenced to Standard Visual Range. A panoramic digital camera system overlooking the Tucson valley will allow for unattended video monitoring on the opening Pima County Department of Environmental Quality(PDEQ) web-page. Additional special purpose studies in underserved areas and expanded agency and stakeholder outreach programs will be marketed to assist the public in day-to-day decision making.
Cost
:$485,100.00
Research Component
:Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration
Approach
:
Contained within a comprehensive Information Management System, mapping protocols will be developed for web-based and graphic reporting of air quality and associated urban air parameters. Previously unavailable and highly technical information from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's continuous measurement systems for visibility and urban haze research in Pima County will be presented in understandable, usable, real-time formats. Raw data transformation of a center city transmissometer, one urban and one Class I Wilderness nephelometer, and surface meteorological stations will be used to show variations in visual air quality and referenced to Standard Visual Range. A panoramic digital camera system overlooking the Tucson valley will allow for unattended video monitoring on the opening Pima County Department of Environmental Quality(PDEQ) web-page. Additional special purpose studies in underserved areas and expanded agency and stakeholder outreach programs will be marketed to assist the public in day-to-day decision making.
Cost
:$485,100.00
Research Component
:Environmental Statistics
Project IDs:
ID Code
:R827052
Project type
:EPA Grant