From asthma to AirBeat: Community-driven monitoring of fine particles and black carbon in Roxbury, Massachusetts
From asthma to AirBeat: Community-driven monitoring of fine particles and black carbon in Roxbury, Massachusetts
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DOI：
10.1289/ehp.02110s2297
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发表时间：
2002-04-01
影响因子：
10.4
通讯作者：
Archibald, C
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Loh, P;Sugerman-Brozan, J;Archibald, C
在马萨诸塞州波士顿的一个城市社区罗克斯伯里，哮喘是一个持续的环境正义问题。居民，特别是当地的年轻人，最先调查了哮喘发病率高与空气污染之间的潜在联系，特别是来自柴油公交车和卡车的污染。由年轻人领导的清洁空气游行和社区空气监测项目引起了政府和媒体对这些问题的关注。1998年，环境司法、政府和研究团体合作开发了一种名为AirBeat的实时空气污染监测系统。这个以社区为基础的参与式研究项目旨在回答社区的问题，即罗克斯伯里是否存在污染热点，以及柴油排放对健康问题的影响程度。AirBeat每小时测量并报告PM2.5(质量中值空气动力学直径小于或等于2.5微米的颗粒物)、臭氧和炭黑的水平。这些数据可以通过网站、电话热线和国旗警报系统获得。AirBeat之所以成功，是因为社区居民和组织作为平等的合作伙伴参与，拥有公平的资金份额。该项目还促进了社区的主人翁意识和自豪感。数十名青年发展了领导力和科学技能，媒体将该项目广泛报道为社区的一次胜利。这些数据支持了罗克斯伯里达德利广场是空气污染热点的说法。这些信息现在正被用来倡导使用替代燃料、公共汽车和其他清洁空气措施。最后，该项目加强了社区与研究机构和政府机构的伙伴关系。
Asthma is an ongoing environmental justice concern in Roxbury, an urban neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Residents, especially local youth, were the first to investigate the potential links between high asthma rates and air pollution, particularly from diesel buses and trucks. A youth-led march for clean air and community air monitoring projects drew governmental and media attention to these problems. In 1998, a collaboration of environmental justice, government, and research groups came together to develop a real-time air pollution monitoring system known as AirBeat. This community-based participatory research project was designed to answer community questions about whether there are pollution "hot spots" in Roxbury and the degree to which diesel emissions are contributing to health problems. AirBeat measures and reports levels Of PM2.5 (particulate matter with a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to2.5 mum), ozone, and black carbon on an hourly basis. These data are accessible via a website, telephone hotline, and a flag warning system. AirBeat is successful because community residents and organizations participate as equal partners with an equitable share of funding. The project also promotes a community sense of ownership and pride. Dozens of youth have developed leadership and scientific skills, The media have extensively covered the project as a community victory. The data support the claim that Dudley Square in Roxbury is a hot spot for air pollution. This information is now being used to advocate for alternative fuel transit buses and other clean air measures. Finally, this project has strengthened community partnerships with research and governmental institutions.