Implementing Community Air Quality Monitoring Programs and Evaluating Their Data to Inform Action
Implementing Community Air Quality Monitoring Programs and Evaluating Their Data to Inform Action
Tuesday, October 8, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm ET
Community air monitoring has garnered significant attention from scientists, governments, non-profit organizations, and communities. Recent studies show community-scale air monitoring can supplement existing regulatory monitoring networks and improve understanding of local-level air pollution. Insights gained from local air pollution source impacts can help governments and community stakeholders inform local action to reduce emissions and exposure. Understanding past challenges and successes is key to building the most effective community air monitoring programs in the future. This webinar will explore existing community air monitoring practices with a focus on community and stakeholders’ engagement; new technologies and methods to tackle monitoring objectives; and ways to leverage results and evaluate program success to provide accessible and actionable data to communities.
$99 A&WMA Member; $149 Nonmember
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Presenters:
Olga Pikelnaya, Implementation Manager, Monitoring and Analysis Division, South Coast Air Quality Management District
Olga Pikelnaya is the Implementation Manager in the Monitoring & Analysis Division of South Coast AQMD who is responsible for oversight and implementation of refinery fenceline and community air monitoring, which includes the operation of the nation’s largest refinery community air monitoring network as part of Rule 1180. She is also leads other Optical Remote Sensing (ORS) projects and initiatives that promote the use and application of ORS technology. Olga graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with Environmental Option, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.
Story Schwantes, Air Quality Project Manager, TD Environmental Services, LLC
Story Schwantes joined TD Enviro with experience and a background in air quality, STEM education, and multimedia communication. Story works at the intersection of technical air quality monitoring and community outreach and education, providing project management to a wide variety of clients, from environmental justice communities to national governments. Story manages multiple projects for TD Enviro, coordinating partners and keeping teams organized and on track. Her work translates between community and government needs, wants, and interests in the air quality world, developing and conducting air quality training for these audiences with the goal of creating understanding between them. On the technical side, Story works to help groups engaging in air monitoring create the most effective monitoring network possible no matter where in the process of development they are.
Marilyn Wurth, Research Scientist III, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), Division of Air Resources
Marilyn Wurth is a Research Scientist III from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), Division of Air Resources. She received her M.S. degree in Environmental Health and Toxicology from the University at Albany School of Public Health. During her 26-year career at NYS DEC, she has developed a broad background in risk assessment, regulatory rule development and implementation, policy and decision making, experimental scientific research in the near roadway environment, and community air monitoring. Currently, Marilyn works for DAR’s Air Toxics Section, Bureau of Air Quality Research, evaluating disproportionate burdens from mobile and stationary sources and emission reduction strategies in disadvantaged communities as part of the NYS Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, Community Air Monitoring Initiative.
Moderator: Corey Mocka, Physical Scientist, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Corey Mocka is a physical scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Over the past several years, Corey developed and implemented air quality management policies, regulations, and other strategic measures relating to the Clean Air Act. Corey is currently in the OAQPS ambient air monitoring group where he leads air sensor and community monitoring related policy initiatives, American Rescue Plan Act and Inflation Reduction Act activities, and other national ambient air programs. Previously, Corey worked as an environmental chemist at the North Carolina Division of Air Quality and as an environmental consultant. Corey has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Suffolk University and a master’s degree in environmental assessment from North Carolina State University.
