Formula Grant 02D27122

DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARP FUNDED COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO ADVANCE ENHANCED MONITORING OF PARTICULATE MATTER 2.5 (PM2.5) OR OTHER NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (NAAQS) POLLUTANTS IN AND NEAR COMMUNITIES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONCERNS WHO FACE DISPROPORTIONATE EXPOSURE TO THESE POLLUTANTS AND HEALTH RISKS WHICH ARE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED VULNERABILITY TO COVID-19. THIS ACTION APPROVES AN ARP AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,700 TO ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE AIR QUALITY AGENCY.ACTIVITIES:THESE FUNDS WILL PRIMARILY BE USED TO REPLACE EXISTING FILTER-BASED MONITORS OR OTHERWISE ENHANCE EXISTING MONITORS IN AND NEAR THOSE COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE 24/7, REAL-TIME REPORTING OF AIR QUALITY CONCENTRATIONS. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE PURCHASING CONTINUOUS PM2.5 MONITOR(S) TO REPLACE FILTER-BASED PM2.5 MONITOR(S) AND PURCHASING EQUIPMENT TO UPGRADE EXISTING MONITORING SITES FOR VARIOUS NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS POLLUTANTS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: FULL AUTOMATION OF PM2.5 MONITORS WILL PROVIDE ALL COMMUNITIES FINE PARTICULATE DATA OF THE SAME QUALITY AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPARE CONTINUOUS DATA STREAMS IN NEARBY AREAS. OPERATION OF PM2.5 OR OTHER NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS POLLUTANTS AIR MONITORING IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL EPA REQUIREMENTS LEADING TO COLLECTION OF QUALITY ASSURED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA TO HELP ENSURE THAT MORE AMERICANS ARE LIVING AND WORKING IN AREAS THAT MEET HIGH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS. ALSO, ASHEVILLE WILL MEET THE NEW REQUIREMENT (BASED ON POPULATION) FOR PM10 MONITORING IN THE ASHEVILLE METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO WILL HAVE DECREASED RISK OF ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS, INCLUDING CANCER AND NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS.