The purpose of this american rescue plan funded and competitively selected cooperative agreement is to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with…

The purpose of this american rescue plan funded and competitively selected cooperative agreement is to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the covid-19 pandemic. Activities:these funds will be used to support community and local efforts to monitor their own air quality and to promote air quality monitoring partnerships between communities and tribal, state, and local governments that: leverage existing air quality expertise, expand use of community monitoring groups and other approaches that give the community a voice in the monitoring of the air quality, and build a foundation of trusting relationships and enhanced understanding from which sustainable solutions to community air pollution problems can be found. Specifically, the recipient will organize an air quality monitoring working group, conduct community meetings, install air quality monitors, develop an air quality monitoring web site, and conduct outreach and promotion. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:a working group composed of neighborhood association representatives, community leaders, and other key stakeholders will be formed to steer the project. The city of stamford will host a series of three (3) community meetings to roll out its air quality monitoring program, including virtual sessions as needed. Local outreach activities will target residents of the south end and west side neighborhoods, particularly sensitive populations. The purpose of this engagement is to share information, collect feedback, and describe next steps. The city of stamford will conduct robust marketing efforts to promote the availability of local air quality information. Outreach will include flyers, presentations, articles, videos, social media, and other communication tools. The anticipated deliverables include installing 3 air quality monitors in community centers, schools, fire stations, libraries, and other key locations to measure nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM2.5), and ozone (O3); developing a website to present residents with real-time air quality information through a user-friendly dashboard; and outreach and promotional efforts to raise awareness in stamford of air quality challenges and present opportunities for community members to change behaviors. The expected outcomes include increased awareness of community air quality challenges, real-time access to NO2, PM2.5, and O3 air quality data, education on the impacts of air quality on health; improved understanding of when to avoid outdoor activities during poor air quality index (AQI) days, local/state policy actions that mitigate air pollution hot spots; lower NO2, PM2.5, and O3 emissions, reduced asthma hospitalizations and emergency room visits, fewer new cases of asthma, less prevalence of chronic heart/lung disease, diminished risk of mental health disorders and impaired cognitive development, and decreased rate of premature deaths. Direct beneficiaries of these activities are stamford residents of the south end and west side neighborhoods, particularly sensitive populations.