Community-Engaged Air Monitoring to Build Resilience Near the US-Mexico Border

Abstract

Initiated in response to community concerns about high levels of air pollution and asthma, the Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Project was conducted as a collaboration between a community-based organization, a non-governmental environmental health program, and academic researchers. This community-engaged research project aimed to produce real-time, community-level air quality information through the establishment of a community air monitoring network (CAMN) of 40 low-cost particulate matter (PM) monitors in Imperial County, California. Methods used to involve the community partner organization and residents in the development, operation, and use of the CAMN included the following: (1) establishing equitable partnerships among the project collaborators; (2) forming a community steering committee to guide project activities; (3) engaging residents in data collection to determine monitor sites; (4) providing hands-on training to assemble and operate the air monitors; (5) conducting focus groups to guide display and dissemination of monitoring data; and (6) conducting trainings on community action planning. This robust community engagement in the project resulted in increased awareness, knowledge, capacity, infrastructure, and influence for the community partner organization and among community participants. Even after the conclusion of the original research grant funding for this project, the CAMN continues to be operated and sustained by the community partner, serving as a community resource used by residents, schools, researchers, and others to better understand and address air pollution and its impacts on community health, while strengthening the ability of the community to prepare for, respond to, and recover from harmful air pollution.

Engaging communities in addressing air quality: a scoping review

“…In some studies, photographs, diaries and stories were also created by residents to supplement the monitoring data [ 42 , 43 , 49 , 51 , 55 ]. The timescale and extent of the monitoring varied across the studies identified, from mobile sampling over a few days [ 36 ], to maintaining monitoring sites for a number of years [ 41 ]. Residents also led workshops and community meetings, interpreted data findings, and disseminated information to the wider community and other stakeholders [ 31 , 32 , 53 ].…”

“…Diversity in both the community members and the research team was viewed as a critical to success across some studies, particularly in ensuring it was representative of the local population [ 35 , 43 , 53 , 65 ]. Lastly, financial recognition for the individuals involved and ensuring that community-based organisations received an appropriate share of the funding was also noted as a facilitator [ 39 , 41 ].…”

“…Participation in air quality activities was found to have enhanced individual and collective confidence and motivation to act [ 31 , 42 – 44 , 49 , 52 , 64 , 68 ], built a sense of community [ 37 , 52 ], and increased self-efficacy [ 38 , 52 , 65 , 66 ]. Community engagement in some cases enabled the development of new connections [ 41 , 59 , 63 , 65 ], and partnerships between the community and organisations [ 37 , 47 , 53 ]. Community participation in air quality activities was found to elicit a sense of ownership, particularly in studies whereby residents has contributed to decision-making or collected their own data [ 30 , 35 , 38 , 68 ].…”

“…Engaging the community often led to changes for statutory organisations. Additional funding or the maintenance of funding to address air pollution was secured as a result of the engagement activities in two studies [ 41 , 43 ]. New or revised policies emerged from some studies, such as the development of an air protection policy [ 41 ], formation of greener zones [ 38 ], and policy changes on vehicle idling and industrial site regulation [ 33 , 36 , 68 ].…”

Performance of a Low-Cost Sensor Community Air Monitoring Network in Imperial County, CA

“…Previous work has shown that taking a community-based approach to air monitoring in this project increases local environmental health literacy, and provides direct benefits to community partners, such as engaging youth, and increased capacity and knowledge about air quality, data interpretation, and health impacts [36,37]. CCV led an extensive campaign to publicize the Network, presenting information during community events, meetings with school and other local officials, and interviews with news media.…”