Toward Participatory Air Pollution Exposure Assessment in a Goods Movement Community
Buy Issue for $25 at JHUP- Toward Participatory Air Pollution Exposure Assessment in a Goods Movement Community
What Is the Purpose of This Study/Review?
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• To use the community-based participatory research model to develop collaborative relationships with residents and community organizations, and involve residents in planning for and conducting air pollution research.
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• To assess community concern regarding environmental health and truck traffic using interviews, meetings, and a Photovoice exercise.
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• To develop and pilot protocol to involve community residents in conducting personal measurements of PM2.5 in the first-ever neighborhood- or personal-scale PM2.5 monitoring project in Philadelphia.
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• To pilot means of conveying study results to the residents and community researchers.
What Is the Problem?
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• Air pollution from traffic of diesel trucks travelling to and from port facilities is a potential environmental health threat in areas of Philadelphia such as the Port Richmond neighborhood.
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• Current air pollution monitoring conducted by the City of Philadelphia has limited capability to assess neighborhood- or personal-level exposures to this pollution.
What Are the Findings?
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• Community residents are concerned about air pollution from traffic and other sources, roadway safety hazards, and community health problems.
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• Smoking had the most pronounced effect on individuals’ air pollution exposure.
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• Personal air pollution exposure levels were not related to more general pollution levels reported from monitoring stations in Philadelphia.
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• Participation in personal air pollution monitoring and photography exercises helped to increase awareness of diesel emissions throughout the neighborhood and develop priorities for action.
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• Participatory methods are appropriate to involve lay persons in personal air pollution monitoring.
Who Should Care Most?
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• Port communities, and other residential areas host to heavy vehicle and truck traffic.
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• Community-based organizations and community health centers.
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• Medical institutions and other health care providers. [End Page 263]
Recommendations for Action
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• Improve signage for truck drivers throughout the neighborhood (especially at the base of an exit ramp from I-95) to direct trucks away from neighborhood collector streets and toward major arterials.
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• Improve signage and enforcement of anti-idling ordinances.
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• Conduct more personal- and local-level air pollution monitoring. [End Page 264]
