Nevada: Improving Air Quality in Northern Nevada

Overview

Partners in Nevada came together to address gaps in air quality monitoring in underserved communities, filling spatial gaps of air quality monitoring. Through implementation of the PurpleAir Sensor Project, sensors were installed to provide real-time air quality updates. Access to these updates allow residents to make decisions on how to protect their health, such as staying indoors or avoiding vigorous activity when air quality is poor.

Challenge

Poor air quality affects respiratory health, especially for individuals with lung conditions. COVID-19 is much more dangerous when lung conditions are present. One way people with lung conditions can protect their health is by monitoring air quality and adjusting their activities when air quality is poor. While air quality sensors are an important tool in helping individuals avoid harmful exposures, recent studies show gaps in air quality monitoring among underserved populations. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health1 found socioeconomic differences in the number of air quality sensors distributed in California. Fewer sensors were distributed in census tracts with lower socioeconomic status, higher levels of pollution from fine particulates (PM 2.5), and higher percentages of racial/ethnic minority populations. Similar trends were seen in Washoe County, Nevada using the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map2 which provides people with information on levels of particle pollution in the air during fires.

With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities grant, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) partnered with the Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) at Northern Nevada Public Health, formerly known as Washoe County Health District, to address gaps in air quality monitoring.

Solution

Through partnerships, programs, and services, AQMD has implemented clean air solutions. The DPBH health equity team collaborated with AQMD to support a PurpleAir Sensor Project. The project facilitates access to PurpleAir sensors in underserved communities and fills in spatial gaps of air quality monitoring. The DPBH health equity team and AQMD partnered with community-based organizations to identify locations where they can install PurpleAir sensors and gather better air quality data for underserved populations.

Impact

DPBH and AQMD's efforts led to the distribution of more than a dozen PurpleAir sensors to community partners. Reno-Sparks Indian Colony was one of the partners. They received two PurpleAir sensors on their tribal land. One sensor was installed in Hungry Valley, while the other on Prosperity Street in Reno. The sensors allow Hungry Valley and the Prosperity Street community to access real-time air quality updates. Access to these updates will allow residents to make decisions on how to protect their health, such as staying indoors or avoiding vigorous activity when air quality is poor.

By using the COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant, DPBH and AQMD are working toward including more air quality sites in underrepresented communities, which will allow for more accurate readings to decrease lung flare-ups.