02D45123

Description:
This action approves an award in the amount of $437,545 to support Southern Research Institute to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. This project will monitor criteria air pollutant concentrations in two underserved neighborhoods in Birmingham, AL as well as monitor concentrations of key volatile organic compounds including naphthalene and benzene.

Activities to be performed:
Will be used to support community and local efforts to monitor their own air quality and to promote air quality monitoring partnerships between communities and local governments and a research group that: leverage existing air quality expertise, expand use of community monitoring groups and other approaches that give the community a voice in the monitoring of the air quality, and build a foundation of trusting relationships and enhanced understanding from which sustainable solutions to community air pollution problems can be found.

The anticipated deliverables include:
A project specific QAPP; measurements of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and VOCs in identified study areas, data access to cloud stored air quality data, regular presentations of analyzed air quality data as well as training sessions on how constituents can access data via the cloud; progress reports; and a final assessment report.

The expected outcomes include:
Community awareness and knowledge about particulate matter, criteria pollutant, and other key organics; greater access to information about potential environmental and human health risks; information to supplement existing monitoring sites and potentially identify locations where additional protective actions may be needed.

The intended beneficiaries include:
The North Birmingham and West End communities; Birmingham residents and students; the City of Birmingham, AL; the County Department of Health; and other community partners.

Activities:
Subrecipient: No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

Outcomes:

Southern Research Institute

5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 3 - ENFORCE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE 3.1 - HOLD ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATORS AND RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ACCOUNTABLE 3.2 - DETECT VIOLATIONS AND PROMOTE COMPLIANCE 4 - ENSURE CLEAN AND HEALTHY AIR FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 4.1 - IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND REDUCE LOCALIZED POLLUTION AND HEALTH IMPACTS 4.2 - REDUCE EXPOSURE TO RADIATION AND IMPROVE INDOOR AIR 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS 6 - SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES 6.1 - CLEAN UP AND RESTORE LAND FOR PRODUCTIVE USES AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES 6.2 - REDUCE WASTE AND PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION 1 - TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS 1.1 - REDUCE EMISSIONS THAT CAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE 1 - TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS 1.1 - REDUCE EMISSIONS THAT CAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS 4 - ENSURE CLEAN AND HEALTHY AIR FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 4.1 - IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND REDUCE LOCALIZED POLLUTION AND HEALTH IMPACTS 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.1 - ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 1 - TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS 1.1 - REDUCE EMISSIONS THAT CAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE 1 - PILLAR 1: CLEAN AIR, LAND, AND WATER FOR EVERY AMERICAN 1.1 - TBD 1 - A CLEANER, HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT 1.2 - PROVIDE FOR CLEAN AND SAFE WATER 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER

66.034 - Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act

EPA Region 4: Atlanta [EPA - RO]

Birmingham, Alabama 35205 United States

Single Zip Code

Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities (EPA-OAR-OAQPS-22-01)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 07/31/26 to 07/31/27.