Measuring What Matters: Empowering Communities Through Air Monitoring
To hold polluters and officials accountable for continued toxic emissions, DSCEJ empowers stakeholders to engage more effectively in air monitoring.
Through our funding partnerships with EPA, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Wellcome Trust, we educate communities on local air pollution issues, support them in monitoring the specific air pollutants they are most concerned about, and provide technical assistance in interpreting their findings. This data is leveraged to drive change through deeper civic engagement.
DSCEJ and EDF Host AirPen Training Workshop to Empower Communities
DSCEJ, in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), hosted an AirPen Training workshop on March 22, 2025. Funded by an EDF Wellcome Trust grant, the event focused on educating community members about the health impacts of air pollution and training them how to use the AirPen device, a state-of-the-art tool designed to help communities better prepare for and respond to the health impacts of storms and air pollution.
The AirPen collects air quality data which can be used to identify and assess various hazardous chemicals and pollutants in the air. It is an essential tool that will enable communities to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of air pollution and advocate for cleaner and safer environments.
Participants were also given detailed instruction on how to operate the AirPen device, change sample tubes, and start and stop sampling, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to monitor air quality effectively. Teaching community members about air pollution and its health impacts is crucial, as exposure to pollutants can lead to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and other serious health issues. By educating residents about environmental hazards and Airpen instrument training, DSCEJ is empowering communities to take an active role in improving their living conditions and advocating for environmental justice.
EPA Air Monitoring Project in St. John the Baptist Parish
Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, DSCEJ is building capacity of local partners The Descendants Project and Concerned Citizens of St. John in St. John the Baptist Parish to monitor the air quality, engage with stakeholders, and become more active and effective in outreach and community engagement. Our objective is to provide continuous air quality monitoring sensors that detect PM2.5 and Total Volatile Organic Carbons (TVOCs), the pollutants of concern identified by the community as hazardous and threatening to their health. Data for the targeted pollutants will be assessed via a secure online portal. Our work aims to improve the health of the people and communities where this project is being implemented.
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