The project will support the facilitation of a resident-led, multi-stakeholder task force to understand and analyze air quality data collected; translate and share data out easily, accessibly and…

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 awarded a $275,000 Project Grant to Greenroots Inc. under the Environmental Justice Small Grant Program (CFDA 66.604) to support implementation of a comprehensive air quality improvement campaign in Chelsea and East Boston, Massachusetts from February 1, 2022 through January 31, 2023.

Greenroots will analyze local air quality data, share results accessibly including for limited English proficient residents, and implement strategies to reduce air pollution impacts on environmental justice populations. Key deliverables include establishing a multi-stakeholder task force, distributing air filters to at least 200 homes and public buildings, and assessing impacts on health and potential policy changes. No subawards are included.

The project will support the facilitation of a resident-led, multi-stakeholder task force to understand and analyze air quality data collected; translate and share data out easily, accessibly and multilingually; collaborate with air quality experts, health institutions and city partners to best determine air filter distribution; develop strategies to ensure regular air filter use; and lastly, IT will support information gathering to determine if the filters are improving health and quality of life and if there are potential policy changes that could lead to lasting air quality improvements. Activities: greenroots will implement a comprehensive, inclusive and replicable community-centered and data-driven air quality campaign. The campaign will focus on three major objectives: 1) analyzing air quality information throughout the highly industrial, urban community; 2) sharing out data in a way that is accessible to all including limited english proficient individuals; and 3) implementing innovative strategies to reduce the impact of air pollution on environmental justice populations, particularly those with respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Greenroots will engage limited english proficient residents, allies and community partners outcomes: greenroots anticipates the following long-term outcomes from the project work: community members are informed about direct impacts of air quality on health and health outcomes (with language justice), and empowered to take action; public access to understandable and accessible air quality data is strengthened (APP creation for real-time data access, research coalesced, further research needs identified); lasting, working, cross-sector partnerships are developed to address air quality needs, including residents, academic researchers, decision-makers: indoor air quality will improve through the implementation of greenroots demonstration project which will result in the installation of air purifiers in at least 200 homes in chelsea and municipal and /or school buildings. The project is intended to improve and maintain the air quality and environmental health for the residents of chelsea and east boston. Subrecipient: no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.