Presentation of air pollution exposure of school children research and analysis of potential mitigation responses with community-based partners and school leaders in San Jose, CA

Bacon, Christopher M.

Clow, Genevieve

Pérez, Martín

Stewart-Frey, Iris

English

Scholar Commons - Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University Scholar Commons Environmental Studies and Sciences College of Arts & Sciences 5-14-2018 Air Pollution Analysis of Santa Clara County Public Schools Preliminary Results Christopher M. Bacon Santa Clara University, cbacon@scu.edu Iris Stewart-Frey Santa Clara University, istewartfrey@scu.edu Genevieve Clow Martín Pérez Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/ess Recommended Citation Bacon, Christopher M.; Stewart-Frey, Iris; Clow, Genevieve; and Pérez, Martín, "Air Pollution Analysis of Santa Clara County Public Schools Preliminary Results" (2018). Environmental Studies and Sciences. 86. https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/ess/86 This Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Arts & Sciences at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Environmental Studies and Sciences by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact rscroggin@scu.edu. Air Pollution Analysis of Santa Clara County Public SchoolsPreliminary Results Chris Bacon and Iris Stewart-Frey with: Genevieve Clow and Martín Pérez, Department of Environmental Studies and SciencesSanta Clara UniversityMay 14 2018 Air pollution and human health● This project started as Air Quality Research Initiative with SCU’s Thriving Neighbors Initiative  expanded with the Mapping Health Collaborative.● Ozone and fine particle pollution (PM 2.5) are the major regional air pollutants of concern in the SF Bay Area. Fine particulates (2.5 microns or smaller), and ultrafine particles (UFPs 0.1 microns and smaller) are linked to asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease, and may be more extensive than previously established.Air pollution exposures at school● Of greatest concern are air pollution concentrations within 500 feet of high traffic street edges, but concentrations can be harmful at distances up to 1320 ft. ● In 2003, the California legislature passed SB 352, prohibiting building new schools within 500 ft of high traffic roadways. SB 352 does not address what action should be taken to reduce the health risks for children at school sites already near high traffic roadways, and the Bill acknowledges that a disproportionate number of low income students attend such schools. Research Questions 1. What are the demographic and spatial patterns in the distribution and exposure of high concentrations of air pollutants around schools in Santa Clara County?2. How can we use spatial analysis to assess exposure to roadway emissions?3. How can Santa Clara University, K-12 schools and community-based partners work together to: a. identify locally preferred mitigation strategies that reduce children’s exposure to air pollutants? and b. enhance community health and access to environmental benefits?Methods We used community-based air pollution monitoring in a case study area, mapping, and both a focus group and a survey conducted with parents at Washington Elementary School (WES). We integrate these mixed methods through a participatory action research approach.5  We used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map roads and freeways in relationship to all public schools in SCC. We also conducted 4 sampling campaigns at 5 locations surrounding WES, and measured ultrafine particles using two handheld condensation particle counters (TSI 3007). Community (promotoras) and SCU students conducted the sampling with faculty support. During three 3-week periods, promotoras and students collected air quality samples two times per day (in the am and afternoon) on two weekdays per week.  We also conducted a survey and focus group in May, 2016 after a madres group meeting at WES. Survey questions addressed perceptions of air and noise pollution, and we received 33 completed surveys. Traffic in SCCTraffic counts for major roadways in SCC serve as a proxy for vehicle emissions that impact children’s health.Poverty and Environmental Health This map shows the association between asthma and poverty. The red schools have the highest percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM), an indicator of poverty. Proximity of Schools to Major Roadways14% of public schools in SCC are located within 500 feet of a major road with over 30,000 vehicles per day. This is slightly higher than the national average of 9%.11Hopkins, J.S. 2017. The invisible hazard afflicting thousands of schools. Center for Investigative Reporting. Feb 20. Comparing Data to Model OutputsC-LINE model provides communities with a free and user-friendly model to analyze roadway air pollution. Our next step will be comparing these model outputs to our index-based approach. Source: Community Modeling and Analysis System, UNC14% of schools in SCC are potentially exposed to harmful amounts of traffic-related air pollution Disadvantaged schools may be more at risk Table 2: Average % of students eligible for Free and Reduced Price MealsSchools within 500 feet of major roads45% Schools over 500 feet from major roads 38%Table 1: Percent of Schools within 500 feet of high-traffic roadwaysSanta Clara County14%National Average9%3Almaden:26,000 vehicles / day1st St<25,000 vehicles / day280> 200,000 vehicles / day26,000 vehicles per day Case Study at Washington Elementary● Sites 4a and 4b are within 500 feet of I-280 and show the highest levels of air pollution. ● Site 2 shows elevated levels of particles due to its location next to a principal arterial. This is located next to the playground and athletic fields, which may expose children to high levels of air pollution and may be a potential site to focus mitigation. Residents also concerned about pollution exposure at homeAir pollution, one of several environmental hazards Focus group responses from 2016: “My concern is that all our kids and all of the mothers who have children in this area are affected by air quality in one way or another.”“I live near 280. The air quality there is definitely worse because of how close it is to the freeway, and by two major streets... But it doesn’t seem like that big of a concern for many people, because the consumption of marijuana is incredibly prevalent, and the rise of this problem was not incremental, it was dramatic.” “You walk and see all of the things that have been used and disposed of lying in the streets. Additionally, all of the people who were squatting [ in “the Jungle”] have been displaced and are sleeping in their cars.” Air pollution, one of several environmental hazards  “For me, all of the garbage bothers me a lot. The sound is especially bothersome, it doesn’t let you sleep at night.” “What can we do?  Well, I think the best thing would be to find alternative routes for cars to commute.  Putting signs up encouraging use of public transportation might be helpful along with no smoking.”Mitigation measures16Image: California Air Resources Board:Possible mitigations - Sound walls and vegetation Planting trees on campus to reduce air pollution exposure and  generate other ecosystems servicesTrees and vegetative barriers generate key ecosystem services for kids on campus, including:  1. air pollution control2. noise reduction3. temperature regulation, and4. shading to school children.* Analysis to prioritize the areas with most ecosystem services Endreny, T., Santagata, R., Perna, A., De Stefano, C., Rallo, R. F., & Ulgiati, S. (2017). Implementing and managing urban forests: A much needed conservation strategy to increase ecosystem services and urban wellbeing. Ecological Modelling, 360, 328-335. doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2017.07.016A recent study published in the online journal Ecological Modelling reported that in 10 megacities studied, tree-based ecosystem benefits had a median annual value of $505 million. Best practices for using vegetative barriers to reduce air pollution exposure Starting a Discussion about Proposed Mitigation Sites at WESSite 1Site 1 is located next to a high traffic road and should be considered the highest priorityPossible Mitigation - Invest to improve indoor air quality What can be done to mitigate children’s air pollution exposures at schools?In Los Angeles and Boston, stakeholders have partnered to reduce air pollution exposures, and funded larger studies and direct investments, such as:   1. Upgrades to central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.2. Filtration systems to reduce UFMs from indoor and outdoor sources.Other potentially useful policies Assembly Bill 758 (2009) required the CEC and the CPUC to develop a comprehensive program to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings.Safe routes to Schools and Safe routes to Transit could address all PollutantsProvide funds for the regional Safe routes to School and Safe routes to Transit Programs.County Offices of Education and Community Colleges seeking funding under the California Clean Energy Jobs Act (Proposition 39) may now apply for technical assistance under the Bright Schools Program (see next slidehttps://www.dgsapps.dgs.ca.gov/DSA/SustainableSchools/sustainabledesign/energy/hvacsystems.htmlAnother recommendationIf not done already, partner with Bright Schools program for free audit to plan investments that improve air quality and reduce energy use Possible Mitigation - Building & Road Design● Strategies to reduce traffic emissions○ Reduce vehicle speed through road design ■ Roundabout intersections, speed limit reductions (avg speed range = 35-55 mph)● Building design on-campus: Multi-story parking garage (w vegetative barrier)○ Could act as a barrier for highway ■ Multi-purposeful: place to put cars AND serve as tool to decrease emissionsNext steps ● Gather asthma data and related respiratory-illness data from schools within 500 ft. and 1320 ft. to major roadways in order to conduct correlational analyses. ● Conduct additional quantitative demographic analysis to assess environmental justice in SCC● Determine best mitigation strategies for the schools we collaborate with and how to finance said mitigation measures based on feedback from school site council. Acknowledgements Special thanks to Jennifer Merritt, Irene Cermeño, and TNI team for support. WES Principal Stephanie Palmeri Farías caring about this work, we look forward to next steps. Scott Fruin at USC for advising CB on air quality research and equipment. ESS students Katelyn Diggs and Déjà M. Thomas, Paloma Sisneros-Lobato, Jordan Webster worked on this study in 2015-17. Almaz Negash at Step-Up Silicon for early support. We also gratefully acknowledge funding through the College of Arts and Sciences Mapping Health Initiative, sponsored by the De Nardo Foundation. 

Air Pollution Analysis of Santa Clara County Public Schools Preliminary Results

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Air Pollution Analysis of Santa Clara County Public Schools Preliminary Results

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