Air Quality Monitoring
Definition
Measuring concentrations of air pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds to assess health risks and enforce air quality standards. The EPA sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards that cities must meet to protect public health. Real-time monitoring helps identify pollution sources, track trends, and warn residents during poor air quality episodes.
Louisville Context
Louisville has approximately 10 permanent air quality monitoring stations operated by LMAPCD (Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District). However, monitoring is sparse in West Louisville neighborhoods near Rubbertown and industrial areas where pollution is highest. Community groups have deployed low-cost sensors showing significantly worse air quality in fence-line communities than official monitors indicate.
Why It Matters
You can’t address what you don’t measure. Inadequate air quality monitoring, especially in pollution-burdened neighborhoods, allows harmful pollution to continue undetected. Better monitoring helps identify pollution sources, hold polluters accountable, and warn vulnerable residents (children, elderly, people with asthma) to stay indoors during poor air quality days.
Dave’s Proposal
Dave will expand Louisville’s air quality monitoring network, installing 20 additional monitors in West Louisville neighborhoods near Rubbertown and industrial areas within his $1.025 billion budget. He’ll make real-time air quality data publicly accessible through a mobile app and website, and establish community air quality alert systems for vulnerable neighborhoods.