In the decades since the Clean Air Act was passed, air quality monitoring has been one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) key tools to ensure public health is safeguarded from harmful pollutants. However, the system is far from perfect. With around 4,000 monitors placed nationwide, many areas—especially communities of colour and underserved regions—lack adequate monitoring. Now, the EPA is turning to citizen science by funding community groups to fill these monitoring gaps and provide more localized data. This initiative is raising questions about its long-term impact and whether it will ultimately result in cleaner air for affected communities.

Addressing Monitoring Gaps with Citizen Science

The EPA’s traditional air monitoring network was designed primarily to track pollution from major sources like automobiles and industrial facilities in densely populated areas. While this strategy works for large cities, many rural areas, industrial zones, and underserved communities are left with limited air quality data. A 2020 report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that more than 100 U.S. counties with unhealthy air lacked the necessary monitors to assess pollution levels.

In 2022, to address these gaps, the EPA awarded $53 million in grants to 133 community groups. These grants, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan, aimed to empower communities to set up their own air quality monitors and track pollution from sources like industrial plants, oil and gas development, and waste burning.

Micah 6:8, a community group from Sulphur, Louisiana—located in the state’s petrochemical corridor—was one of the grant recipients. The community, predominantly made up of low-income African American residents, has long suffered from toxic emissions without adequate monitoring from state agencies. “We knew we needed air monitors,” said Cynthia Robertson, founder of the group. Through the grant, the group aims to collect data that will not only raise awareness within the community but also inform residents about the risks they face.

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Legislative Pushback and Barriers to Regulatory Action

Despite these efforts, many states are resistant to incorporating community-collected data into regulatory decision-making. In Louisiana, for example, Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation in May 2023 that prohibits community air quality data from being used in regulatory or legal cases. The Louisiana Chemical Association, a major trade group representing the petrochemical industry, strongly supported the bill. This legislation poses a major challenge to groups like Micah 6:8, whose data, while valuable for raising awareness, is unlikely to trigger regulatory action.

Similarly, in Texas, Air Alliance Houston has been gathering air quality data since 2018, with 60 community-based monitors installed across the city. Despite documenting air quality violations in communities like Houston’s Fifth Ward, their data has been largely ignored by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which continues to rely on older, less representative monitors for permitting decisions.

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The Future of Community Science in Air Monitoring

Although these challenges exist, advocates believe community-based monitoring holds the key to democratizing environmental health protection. Local groups can collect data from areas where no regulatory monitors exist, giving residents a clear picture of their exposure to pollutants. This data empowers communities to make informed decisions about their health and push for change through grassroots activism.

“EPA is sending a signal. People feel as though they are seen, which has helped morale,” said Darren Riley, co-founder of Just Air Solutions, a group working with several EPA-funded communities. He added that this effort has given rise to a feeling of empowerment, with residents beginning to think of air quality monitoring as “our data.”

For the EPA’s citizen science initiative to truly make a difference, it will require ongoing support, better integration of data into regulatory frameworks, and overcoming legislative barriers. Yet, the potential is there. By giving communities the tools to monitor their own air, the EPA is taking a step toward a more inclusive approach to environmental justice—one where those most affected by pollution are at the forefront of solutions.

Also Read: New York Air Quality: Challenges And Solutions

Conclusion

The future of air quality monitoring may lie in the hands of the people most affected by pollution. Citizen science programs, like those funded by the EPA, are giving communities the tools they need to track pollution, raise awareness, and demand change. But the road ahead is not without its challenges, from legislative pushback to the technical hurdles of setting up and maintaining monitors. Whether or not these efforts will lead to cleaner air depends on how well this data is integrated into regulatory frameworks and the continued support of community-driven initiatives. For now, these programs represent a significant shift toward empowering citizens to take charge of their own environmental health.

Key Takeaways:

• The EPA has awarded $53 million in grants to community groups to set up air quality monitors in underserved areas.
• Legislative barriers in states like Louisiana and Texas prevent community-collected data from being used in regulatory decisions.
• While challenges remain, community-led air monitoring empowers residents and could be the key to more effective environmental justice efforts.

Also Read: Air Quality Measures