269 Air Quality
Be observant. Be informed. Be healthy.
AIR QUALITY IN KALAMAZOO
|
As a program within the Institute of Public Scholarship, 269 Air Quality aims to research air pollution in Kalamazoo County as it relates to particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and air quality index (Air Quality Index).
The air quality index, see image on right, is a scale used to determine the level of air pollution and its risk to the health of humans. Tracking particulate matter 2.5 pollution is important to 269 Air Quality because it has a detrimental impact to public health including respiratory and cardiovascular issues. None of this work would be possible, without our community scientist who host monitors outside of their homes. We plan continue to install monitors near areas that are at risk of unhealthy levels of air pollution, as well as areas that are more prone to buffer air pollution. |
In accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state of Michigan's Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) department is tracking air quality in Kalamazoo at the Mayor's Fairground.
While the one monitor at the Mayor's Fairground is helpful, people of Kalamazoo County need knowledge about air pollution and air quality in their own neighborhood.
At this time, 269 Air Quality is addressing the lack of spatial and temporal data of air quality monitoring in Kalamazoo. We address spatial concerns by tracking air quality monitors throughout Kalamazoo County in high risk areas for air pollution including highways, Black and Brown neighborhoods, train tracks, golf courses, construction zones, and buffer areas for air pollution including vegetation (trees and shrubs) . Temporal concerns are addressed by 269 Air Quality's data team, who analyze data and can provide averaging periods throughout the day (8 hours), rather than the EPA's 24 hour averaging.
While the one monitor at the Mayor's Fairground is helpful, people of Kalamazoo County need knowledge about air pollution and air quality in their own neighborhood.
At this time, 269 Air Quality is addressing the lack of spatial and temporal data of air quality monitoring in Kalamazoo. We address spatial concerns by tracking air quality monitors throughout Kalamazoo County in high risk areas for air pollution including highways, Black and Brown neighborhoods, train tracks, golf courses, construction zones, and buffer areas for air pollution including vegetation (trees and shrubs) . Temporal concerns are addressed by 269 Air Quality's data team, who analyze data and can provide averaging periods throughout the day (8 hours), rather than the EPA's 24 hour averaging.
KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY AIR MONITORS
|
Continue exploring our page or visit:
|
|
|
