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CHILD HEALTH CHAMPION AIR QUALITY MONITORING AND EDUCATION PROJECT
Impact/Purpose:
A public-private partnership to promote children's environmental health through education
in Toppenish, Washington
Description:
In response to two presidential directives, EPA has created the Child Health Champion (CHC) Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) pilot program in communities where environmental data are not widely available and significant environmental health threats to children exist. Toppenish, Washington has been chosen as the initial pilot test site for the program. One important feature of the CHC /EMPACT program is community involvement in both the collection and the dissemination of the environmental data. EPA has provided indoor and ambient air monitoring equipment along with training and short-term technical support. Toppenish School District has supplied the site location, preparation and security plus the necessary power and internal wiring to hook the equipment up to the classroom. The National Weather Service is suppling technical assistance and will use the weather data for it's weather warning coordination in the lower Yakima Valley. KIMA TV has supplied a camera for mounting on the weather tower that will give real-time views of weather conditions in the valley as well as use the data for its own weather reporting. The Yakama Nation will provide long term technical support to the school for equipment operation. The weather station/air monitoring system will also enable Toppenish School District students to enhance their skills in research, collecting data, analyzing data, writing reports, preparing news and weather reports and maintaining a web site for public access.