title: Passive samplers and community science in regional air quality measurement, education and communication.
abstract: Charlotte, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, was ranked in the top ten cities with the worst air quality for ozone in the United States by the American Lung Association from 2009 to 2011. Nearby counties that may experience similar air quality do not have state or county monitors. This study utilized NOx and ozone Ogawa passive samplers and community scientists to monitor air quality in five counties surrounding Charlotte and increase public engagement in air quality issues. Community scientists deployed samplers weekly at a residential site within each county. Samples were analyzed using spectrophotometry and ion chromatography. Elevated NOx concentrations were observed in four of the five counties relative to those with existing monitors. Ozone concentrations showed little county to county variation, except Iredell and Cabarrus which had higher concentrations than Rowan. Community involvement in this work led to an increase in local dissemination of the results, thus increasing air quality awareness.
authors.affiliation: Davidson College, Davidson, NC, 28035, USA. Electronic address: cihauser@davidson.edu.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: DeForest Hauser
authors.affiliation: Johnson C Smith University, Charlotte, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.affiliation: Davidson College, Davidson, NC, 28035, USA.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002947:Cities; D003256:Community Participation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000032:analysis*; D009657:North Carolina; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D010126:Ozone
keywords: Community science; NO(x); Ozone; Passive samplers