INTRODUCtion
The research study uses Purple Air (Model: PA SD-II) sensors to study Particulate Matter (PM2.5) concentrations near roadways located in the vicinity of elementary schools and manufacturing facilities.
The research team calibrated 48 sensors at the CAMS 12 air monitoring station at UTEP. They were mounted to collect PM 2.5 data for 20 days which will be compared to the Federal Reference Method air monitoring data collected by TCEQ.
In January, UTEP and UACJ began installing the network of air sensors at 31 sites. UTEP installed 12 sensors in El Paso, partnering with El Paso ISD. UACJ installed 5 sensors in Ciudad Juárez, partnering with locations near schools and 14 sensors at manufacturing facilities.
EPA and TCEQ approved the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for the study which ensures a rigorous scientific approach to measuring air quality.
On August 13, 2021 UTEP and UACJ submitted a report of their findings from the two-month data collection period studied by data analysis.
In January, UTEP and UACJ began installing the network of air sensors at 31 sites. UTEP installed 12 sensors in El Paso, partnering with El Paso ISD. UACJ installed 5 sensors in Ciudad Juárez, partnering with locations near schools and 14 sensors at manufacturing facilities.
EPA and TCEQ approved the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for the study which ensures a rigorous scientific approach to measuring air quality.
On August 13, 2021 UTEP and UACJ submitted a report of their findings from the two-month data collection period studied by data analysis.
A key goal of the project is to enhance binational collaboration between research institutions in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. The research team meets virtually every two weeks to coordinate joint activities and implement the Quality Assurance Project Plan. The study is a first of its kind measurement of air quality in the international air basin as a whole using innovative new technology.
On February 11th, 2021 our team presented our updates at the 79th JAC meeting. The presentation is available here: https://www.cccjac.org/uploads/9/1/9/2/91924192/jac_lowcostairsensorspurple_air_revised.pdf
On June 9th, 2021 our team presented at the Technical exchange on air sensor networks along the Mexico-U.S. border: June 9_Shared Presentations
On July 17, EPA approved an amendment to the Quality Assurance Project Plan and it is available in English and Spanish here: https://www.cccjac.org/uploads/9/1/9/2/91924192/qapp-utep-uacj-low-cost_sensor-rev0-amd1-bilingual.pdf
On February 11th, 2021 our team presented our updates at the 79th JAC meeting. The presentation is available here: https://www.cccjac.org/uploads/9/1/9/2/91924192/jac_lowcostairsensorspurple_air_revised.pdf
On June 9th, 2021 our team presented at the Technical exchange on air sensor networks along the Mexico-U.S. border: June 9_Shared Presentations
On July 17, EPA approved an amendment to the Quality Assurance Project Plan and it is available in English and Spanish here: https://www.cccjac.org/uploads/9/1/9/2/91924192/qapp-utep-uacj-low-cost_sensor-rev0-amd1-bilingual.pdf
Media
The project has been featured in the following media sources:
- El Paso Herald: https://elpasoheraldpost.com/30k-grant-helps-utep-tracks-traffic-related-air-pollution-near-regional-school-zones/
- Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health (CTECH): https://ctech.cee.cornell.edu/2020/10/08/tep-tracks-traffic-related-air-pollution-near-regional-school-zones/
- University of Texas at El Paso: https://www.utep.edu/newsfeed/campus/utep-tracks-traffic-related-air-pollution-near-regional-school-zones.html
- Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez: Circulating bulletin available here: https://www.cccjac.org/uploads/9/1/9/2/91924192/boletin_purpleair.pdf
- Video produced by UTEP and UACJ in August 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFAcXwAv_dY
TEAM memBERS
UTEP:
Dr. Wen-Whai Li
Dr. Mayra C. Chavez
Dr. Juan A. Aguilera
Leonardo Vazquez
Evan Williams
UACJ:
Dr. Adrián F. Vázquez Gálvez
Mta. Yazmín G. Hernández
Ing. Frida Y. Toquinto Manjarrez
Adrián V. Peña López
CoNTACT
You may send us an email to request to join the Stakeholder Email list for regular updates on the project.
Email: BorderAirQuality@utep.edu