NUESTRO AIRE SALUDABLE

Our air quality research project is using a Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS) to better understand the quality of the air here in Holyoke. Using the PTR-MS, we will identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful pollutants present in the air. With this information, we aim to help reduce and disrupt pollution sources that negatively impact air quality in our community.

Air quality directly impacts the health and well-being of our residents. Exposure to air pollution and harmful VOCs has been linked to asthma, respiratory illness, headaches, and other long-term health concerns. This research is especially important in Holyoke and Hampden County, which have some of the highest asthma rates in the country. Factors such as industrial activity, transportation corridors, and environmental inequities can all contribute to poor air quality and increased health risks for residents. By collecting air quality data throughout Holyoke and Hampden County, we hope to better understand where pollutants are concentrated and help support healthier environments for our communities.

We are utilizing a mobile lab from the University of Massachusetts Amherst to house the PTR-MS. Over the course of two six-week sampling sessions, we will drive the truck throughout Holyoke and selected locations across Hampden County to collect air quality data from a variety of neighborhoods and communities. The PTR-MS allows us to measure air pollutants in real time while traveling through different areas, helping identify pollution hotspots and patterns. We are collaborating with the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and the Healthy Air Network to share the collected air quality data and findings with community members.