Youth Air Quality Team

Project: Youth Air Quality Initiative

Perrin Krisko, Elizabeth Mason, Catherine O'Donnell

The Youth Air Quality Initiative is a community-based research and service project. The project involves young community members in air quality monitoring activities in order to bring about locally-relevant community mapping of air pollution and sustainable reform to environmental determinants of health in Ward 1 of Washington D.C. Through hands-on modules, participants from the Latin American Youth Center will learn how to use portable air monitoring and GPS technologies to map and interpret hyperlocal air pollution exposures in their community.  

The scholarly portion of our project compares neighborhood-level quantitative air quality measurements to young peoples' knowledge and attitudes about air pollution in their urban communities.  Participants will develop analytical, geographical, and STEM skills through participatory modules that will prepare them to identify and communicate the hazards of air pollution in their area. Our aim is that the Youth Air Quality Initiative will empower participants to grow as stewards and changemakers in their communities in order to affect long-term health impacts from air pollution.