The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $75,000 Environmental Justice Grant to Groundwork Ohio River Valley to fund an air quality monitoring project to check air pollution in at-risk neighborhoods.
According to a March 29 EPA news release, the program will center on areas where residents have experienced increased cases of heart disease and cancer tied to pollution and asthma. More than 100 youth and 10 residents in neighborhoods will receive training to monitor air quality, with 20 youth employees receiving green infrastructure certifications, according to the news release.
“EPA funding will expand an innovative local program that helps improve air quality and empower community members to better advocate for and protect their health,” EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe said in the news release.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, noted in the news release the resources will arm communities with the technology and training necessary to monitor the local air quality levels. Brown also noted the efforts will allow Ohio River Valley residents the chance to head off potential health issues that can be caused by pollution.
Tanner Yess, co-executive director of Groundwork Ohio River Valley, noted the program is helping residents use the data and other information to take steps to mitigate issues, according to the release.
Moreover, the news release noted the grant will be a driving factor behind President Joe Biden’s Justice 40 Initiative, designed to ensure federal agencies deliver at least 40 percent of the benefits from key investments to communities.
