A pair of Illinois State University researchers from the Department of Health Sciences are collaborating with the Ecology Action Center (EAC) to help Bloomington-Normal residents breathe easier.
Dr. Liangcheng Yang and Dr. Alicia Wodika co-manage the Bloomington-Normal Community Air Research and Education (BN-CARE) program, which intends to improve local air quality, reduce residents’ exposure to air pollution, and increase awareness of air pollution and its related health effects.
As part of the three-year, $440,485 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant-funded program, three solar-powered stationary air quality monitors were installed on poles last summer in EPA-designated environmental justice (EJ) areas within southwest Bloomington and northwest Normal.
Eight portable monitors the size of cell phones were also purchased for short-term, hot-spot monitoring and community education, and a webpage publishing real-time readings from the stationary monitors—BNCARE.org—was launched.
“While we have pretty good overall air quality in Bloomington-Normal, we know we have some environmental issues, especially in southwest Bloomington and northwest Normal,” said Yang, a professor of environmental health and sustainability. “We have air pollution sources in those areas, so we want to increase the awareness of environmental issues, and we want to reduce residents’ exposure to harmful air pollutants in those parts of the community.”
The EPA has an existing air quality sensor on Illinois State’s campus that measures particulate matter (PM 2.5) and ground-level ozone (O3). However, the BN-CARE program is focused on data collection in the community’s EJ areas, identified by the EPA based on environmental and socioeconomic indicators.
“We have air pollution sources in those areas, so we want to increase the awareness of environmental issues, and we want to reduce residents’ exposure to harmful air pollutants in those parts of the community.”
— Dr. Liangcheng Yang
“Many years of historical data shows we do have some issues with particulate matter and ground-level ozone,” Yang said.
McLean County received a grade “B” for ozone air quality from the American Lung Association in 2014-16, an increase from “D” in 2011-13. The research team notes that poor air quality can exacerbate asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition to monitoring PM 2.5 and O3 levels, BN-CARE’s stationary sensors continuously measure nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within Bloomington-Normal’s EJ areas, which the Illinois EPA defines as a census block with a low-income and/or minority population greater than twice the statewide average.
“People are more likely to be exposed to environmental concerns if their home, or schools, or places of worship, etc. are located near pollution sources,” said Wodika, an associate professor in the health promotion and education program. “There’s a disparity in terms of who is most likely to be affected by pollution.”
Wodika said BN-CARE provides a resource for community members who are concerned about local air quality and its effects on their health. Over the course of the project, the researchers anticipate that 35,000 people will access the air quality data, 300 will receive trainings on air quality monitoring, and 500 will attend workshops and educational programs.
“Someone might call us and say, ‘It smells really bad in this location, and so, I’m concerned that my air quality is bad,’” Wodika said. “The whole point of this project is educational outreach. So, let’s measure the air quality, and let’s talk with our community partners, including industries. This project is science-driven, evidence-based, and community-focused. We want to gather the data, share it transparently, and make solutions for next steps together.”
To help alleviate air pollution in Bloomington-Normal, the group will plant 7,000 trees over the next three years. Through separate fundraising efforts, the EAC has already planted 10,000 trees primarily in EJ areas.
“Trees are very important in reducing carbon, and we know that they can reduce other pollutants as well,” Yang said. “Their canopies are also able to reduce heat stress.”
While Yang is an expert at analyzing data, Wodika is focused on education and outreach. She will host workshops, along with EAC collaborators Michael Brown (EAC executive director) and Kelsey Bremmer (EAC program technician), in which participants view air quality reports and gain hands-on experience with BN-CARE’s portable air quality monitors.
“The portable devices are very easy to operate. You just click a few buttons, and you’ll get the number,” Yang said. “I already use these devices in one of the classes I teach.”
Throughout the project, Wodika said she aims to engage with the community and build trust by continuously asking and responding to, “What concerns do you have?”
“This project is science-driven, evidence-based, and community-focused. We want to gather the data, share it transparently, and make solutions for next steps together.”
— Dr. Alicia Wodika
After collecting three years of data from the three stationary monitors, Yang hopes to identify patterns that reveal air quality issues and potential remedies in collaboration with local government and industry officials. Junior environmental health and sustainability major Abbie Gorsage is helping Yang and Wodika process and analyze the data as an undergraduate research assistant.
“Our goal is not to identify pollution sources and blame them,” Yang said. “We’ve met with management from a few potential sources of pollutants, and we’re very happy to have their support on this project. They also want to know what the air quality looks like in our community, and eventually, I think we can talk about what other things we can do together to reduce exposure to harmful air pollutants.”
Yang and Wodika envision the project extending beyond its three-year window if they can earn more grant funding. Together, they are committed to addressing “a real problem” in the community, according to Yang. “People are experiencing these issues,” Yang said, “and I’m just happy we can be part of the solution.”
