Although air quality around Los Angeles has improved notably over the past four decades, the region still faces ongoing air quality challenges. Mobile sources of emissions are a significant concern, particularly for the 1.2 million people living within 500 feet of a freeway in Southern California. Citizen groups want increased access to air quality information that will help them make informed choices and improve health outcomes. With its 72 branches serving 4 million residents, the Los Angeles library system is one of the largest in the country and an ideal partner for a pilot program that allows residents to check out air sensor equipment just as they would check out a book. This project will distribute air sensor equipment to select branches within the library system and train staff on their use and how to implement a related environmental education curriculum. Equipment can then be loaned out with the goal of increasing communities' understanding of their local air quality and providing a model of best practices for other communities.

Ryder Freed; Eric Canteenwala; Ken Davidson; Priyanka Pathak; Katie Stewart; Andrea Clements