Project Grant 95311801

DESCRIPTION:THIS GRANT AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER INFLATION REDUCTION ACT 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. THE RECIPIENT WILL USE THESE FUNDS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY AND LOCAL EFFORTS TO MONITOR AIR QUALITY AND 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.ACTIVITIES:SPECIFICALLY, THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEPLOYING 80+ LOW-COST PM MONITORS IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES ACROSS 5 STATES, ANALYZING THIS DATA AND MAKING IT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, AND SUPPORTING THESE COMMUNITIES' ENGAGEMENT IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL AIR QUALITY ISSUES. IN ADDITION, PROJECT PARTNERS WILL CONDUCT SO2/ VOC MONITORING IN TWO EJ COMMUNITIES.SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARD TO HOPE FOR COSTS OF SHIPPING SAMPLES. SUBAWARD TO VIRGINIA TECH FOR STAFF TIME, MONITORING SUPPLIES, ANALYSIS, AND CALIBRATION. THE RECIPIENT INTENDS TO ISSUE SUBAWARD AGREEMENTS TO ITS PARTNERS IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPENDIX A OF EPA'S SUBAWARD POLICY.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE PURCHASING AIR MONITORING EQUIPMENT; DEPLOYMENT OF MONITORS; PROVIDING QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS; PROVIDING ANNUAL REPORTS; WEBINARS; ARTICLES; SUBMITTING PARTNER COMMENTS; AND ISSUING PRESS RELEASES. THE EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES INCLUDE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR MONITORING EQUIPMENT IN AND AROUND TWO DOZEN COMMUNITIES; MAKING AVAILABLE RAW AIR MONITORING DATA IN NEAR REAL-TIME VIA THE PURPLEAIR WEB MAP; UPDATING QUARTERLY PM 2.5 READINGS AND SO2/VOC DATA; ANALYZING DATA AND NOTING ANY EVIDENCE OF NONATTAINMENT OF NAAQS; PROVIDING QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS; WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND MEMBERS; IDENTIFICATION OF PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AIR QUALITY ISSUES; INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA AND EXPERT ANALYSIS; IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING AMONGST THE GENERAL PUBLIC; AND, ENGAGEMENT WITH REGULATORS AND INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH IMPAIRED LOCAL AIR QUALITY. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO WILL HAVE DECREASED RISK OF ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS, INCLUDING CANCER AND NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS. THESE BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THOSE IN THE APPALACHIAN VALLEY AREA, WHICH CROSSES SEVERAL STATES.