Toward Participatory Air Pollution Exposure Assessment in a Goods Movement Community

What Is the Purpose of This Study/Review?

• • 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.

• • To assess community concern regarding environmental health and truck traffic using interviews, meetings, and a Photovoice exercise.

• • 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.

• • To pilot means of conveying study results to the residents and community researchers.

What Is the Problem?

• • 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.

• • 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?

• • Community residents are concerned about air pollution from traffic and other sources, roadway safety hazards, and community health problems.

• • Smoking had the most pronounced effect on individuals’ air pollution exposure.

• • Personal air pollution exposure levels were not related to more general pollution levels reported from monitoring stations in Philadelphia.

• • Participation in personal air pollution monitoring and photography exercises helped to increase awareness of diesel emissions throughout the neighborhood and develop priorities for action.

• • Participatory methods are appropriate to involve lay persons in personal air pollution monitoring.

Who Should Care Most?

• • Port communities, and other residential areas host to heavy vehicle and truck traffic.

• • Community-based organizations and community health centers.

• • Medical institutions and other health care providers.

Recommendations for Action

• • 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.

• • Improve signage and enforcement of anti-idling ordinances.

• • Conduct more personal- and local-level air pollution monitoring.