This action approves an award in the amount of $613,000 to support the jefferson county department of health for the expansion and enhancement of their air monitoring activities

This $653,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Federal Grant Program 66.034 - Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act will support the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) in Birmingham, Alabama to expand and enhance their air monitoring activities.

Specifically, the grant will fund the establishment of new fence line and multipollutant monitoring sites in communities with environmental justice concerns facing disproportionate exposure to air pollutants and associated health risks, including increased vulnerability to COVID-19. Key activities include conducting special air quality studies in these neighborhoods, deploying new air monitoring equipment, upgrading existing sites, providing training on air quality monitoring, and developing quality assurance documentation. The anticipated outcomes include increasing the number of areas measuring air pollution, NATTS monitoring sites, multipollutant monitoring sites, and trainings for air quality monitoring. The project period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029.

Specifically, the recipient will support fence line and multipollutant monitoring 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. Activities:.the activities include fund special studies in EJ neighborhoods on fence line and to further study multiple pollutants key to ozone formation.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:.the anticipated deliverables include: - number of new areas measuring air pollution - number of new natts monitoring sites - number of new multipollutant air monitoring sites - number of new equipment deployed at existing air monitoring sites - number of existing air monitoring sites and equipment supported and upgraded - number of trainings for air quality monitoring - development of quality assurance/quality control documentation - completion of air monitoring related performance testing and/or audits the expected outcomes include: - number of new areas measuring air pollution - number of new natts monitoring sites - number of new multipollutant air monitoring sites - number of new equipment deployed at existing air monitoring sites - number of existing air monitoring sites and equipment supported and upgraded - number of trainings for air quality monitoring - development of quality assurance/quality control documentation - completion of air monitoring related performance testing and/or audits. The intended beneficiaries include the residents of jefferson county, alabama.