This project will provide the public with more accessible and actionable information on air pollution through development of an APP and improved digital infrastructure

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $370,000 Project Grant under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program (CFDA 11.469) to Partners For A Healthier Community, Inc., doing business as the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. This 2-year grant, awarded on September 1, 2024, will fund the development of a mobile app and installation of 20 new air quality sensors across western Massachusetts. The project aims to provide the public with more accessible and actionable information on air pollution, enabling residents to avoid outdoor time on high-risk air quality days and thereby mitigate direct health impacts. The data from the expanded sensor network will also support use of the air quality information by local municipalities, healthcare providers, schools, community organizations, and businesses.

In collaboration with partners, this project will also add 20 sensors across the state of massachusetts, primarily western MA, to refine the spatial and temporal variation of air quality data at a finer resolution across the geographic area. With this new infrastructure, residents can avoid outdoor time on high-risk air quality days, thereby avoiding direct health impacts. Municipalities, health care, schools, community organizations and businesses can also utilize this publicly available website and data for improving health.