Another day, another milestone! As part of our 10th-year anniversary celebrations, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on one of our most significant and memorable milestones: the “My People, My Air” (Mi Gente, Mi Aire) initiative. This project embodies CFROG’s mission to enhance science-informed decision-making and close the gaps in environmental data. “My People, My Air” is a project intended to build a pathway, rooted in community member engagement, that leads to direct and effective policies for reducing air pollution and exposure in underserved and overly burdened communities. By filling the gaps in existing county air quality data through community-based research, we can expand neighborhood participation in air quality monitoring and understanding its importance in guiding local policy and land-use decisions.
“My People, My Air” launched in 2018, and is funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) under CA Assembly Bill 617. Under this law, CARB dedicates funds for collaboration with community organizations like CFROG to gain deeper insights into emissions and reduce exposure to air pollution in heavily impacted areas. This funding was the first major government grant CFROG received. This project is a collaboration with technical partners from the Environmental Science & Resource Management Department at CSUCI, the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, and expert advisors. From the outset, the program emphasized community outreach, engaging residents in environmental justice communities in Oxnard and Ventura. We aim to expand education about local air quality issues, their public health impacts, and ways to participate in public decision-making processes.
Our approach involves a variety of outreach activities. We’ve hosted community town hall meetings, participated and tabled at local events, and delivered presentations to disseminate information and gather input. These efforts were crucial for understanding residents’ firsthand experiences with air pollution and air quality issues. Through these interactions, we were able to identify optimal locations for placing our 25 PurpleAir and 6 Aeroqual AQS1 monitors, thereby increasing community awareness and involvement in air quality monitoring.
In 2021, through a partnership with Clinicas del Camino Real and Patagonia, we installed our first high-sensitivity air monitoring systems at health clinics in designated disadvantaged communities located in Oxnard and West Ventura. These monitors measure Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Ozone, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), and other harmful pollutants that standard air monitoring systems often overlook. The pollutants detected by these advanced monitors pose significant threats to public health and the environment, making their monitoring and mitigation a high priority.
By collecting air quality data that fills the gaps left by government monitoring programs, we can provide a more comprehensive understanding of pollution burdens in vulnerable neighborhoods within Ventura County. This enriched data set helps inform local health impact assessments and supports the development of more effective pollution reduction strategies. Furthermore, this information is vital for guiding local policy and land-use decisions, ensuring that they are based on accurate and comprehensive air quality data.
The success of “My People, My Air” can be attributed to several key factors. First and foremost is the active participation and engagement of the community. By involving residents in the monitoring process, we not only gather valuable data but also empower communities to advocate for their health and environmental quality. The growing trust and collaboration between CFROG and the communities we serve have been fundamental to the program’s impact and sustainability.
Additionally, the partnerships we have established with Clinicas del Camino Real, Patagonia, CSUCI, and the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District have been instrumental. These collaborations have provided the necessary resources and support to expand our monitoring capabilities and reach, and proven crucial in overcoming the challenges we have faced throughout the project. The involvement of health clinics, in particular, underscores the critical connection between air pollution and public health. By situating monitors at health clinics, we can more directly correlate air quality data with health outcomes, providing tangible evidence of the need for continued and enhanced air pollution mitigation efforts.
Throughout this project, our partners have been essential as we have navigated a variety of challenges including defective sensors and outdated equipment, data management challenges, communications challenges with the manufacturer, and project personnel changes. Despite these setbacks, our team has remained resilient and dedicated to meeting the milestones and objectives on which this project was founded. While these challenges have required adjustments in our monitoring timelines, objectives, and sensor locations, our strong partnerships with community members, organizations, and experts have allowed us to overcome and adapt to these challenges while maintaining a commitment to the original project goals.
Looking forward, CFROG remains committed to building on the foundation laid by “My People, My Air.” We are currently working on expanding our air monitoring efforts to South Oxnard and Port Hueneme through a similar program that will monitor black carbon, which is the closest you can get to monitoring diesel particulate matter (DPM). (Stay tuned for information to get involved). As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are reminded of the power of community-driven research and the importance of grassroots advocacy in shaping effective environmental policies. Our goal is to continue expanding our air monitoring network, fostering new partnerships, and engaging more deeply with the communities we serve. Through these efforts, we aim to ensure that all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to clean air and a healthy environment.
“My People, My Air” stands as a testament to what can be achieved through dedicated community engagement, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to scientific integrity. As CFROG celebrates this milestone, we look back with pride on the progress made and look forward with determination to continue our work in improving air quality and public health for all. The journey is ongoing, but with each step, we move closer to our vision of a cleaner, healthier, and more just future.