AIR CLIMATE & ENERGY RESEARCH PROGRAM B U I L D I N G A S C I E N T I F I C F O U N D A T I O N F O R S O U N D E N V I R O N M E N T A L D E C I S I O N S U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development The Village Green Project Ron Williams EPA Office of Research and Development Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC Durham Environmental Advisory Board November 6, 2013

2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Some impacts beyond our control (ex. weather, ambient air) Some impacts under our control (ex. human activities ) Outdoor sources Indoor sources Personal sources Physical factors Environmental factors Human activities What Influences PM and Air Toxics Exposures?

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Location of air monitors is often unknown to the public

4 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Evolution of Sensor Applications and Performance Reliability/Detection Low Cost and Complexity (Including Support Infrastructure) High Low Regional Air Quality Monitoring Source Community Personal Monitoring Regional Air Quality Monitoring Source Community Personal Monitoring Today Future

5 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development A Typical Regulatory Monitor Produces data of known value and highly reliable Stationary- cannot be easily relocated Instruments are often large and require a building to support their operation Expensive to purchase and operate (typically > $20K each) Requires frequent visits by highly trained staff to check on their operation Often operate for 10+ years before needing to be replaced

6 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development High interest by public for more information Public demand for more personalized information – what about my exposure, my neighborhood, my family

7 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development What are some of these new technologies? Smartphone / Tablet in widespread use Miniaturized environmental sensors e.g., fitbit activity tracker Crowd-funding supporting do-it-yourself (DIY) innovation Introduction of low cost controls and communications e.g., Arduino microprocessor e.g., Kickstarter

8 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Emerging data-viewing/communication apps U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web-based portals are being developed airalliancehouston.org londonair.org.uk/ iphone aircasting.org airqualityegg.com

9 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Stimulating collaboration and conversation Assessing emerging technology Supporting new technology development in areas of need Thinking big picture about these developments and implications What is EPA doing?

10 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development The Village Green Project Solar-powered, air and meteorology monitoring bench: - Sustainable materials: manufactured from recycled milk jugs - Tamper-proof: Instruments secured in bench or base of play structure -Designed to add value to public environments (bench) -Formal agreement with Durham County on collaboration

11 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development EPA-Durham County Collaboration Features EPA maintains operating responsibility of the VGP and its data portal (villagegreen.epa.gov) Durham County provided a “location” in a highly public venue EPA and Durham County (Library System) providing for joint communication and outreach opportunities EPA is providing scientist-level interaction with the public throughout the planned one year deployment

12 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Components Air instruments (PM, ozone), power system and communications components stored securely behind bench

13 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Communicating Air Quality

14 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Data communication - Data transmitted via cellular modem to the internet - Data screened for various diagnostic indicators, averaged to desired interval (e.g., hourly, daily) - Data available to web browser interface

15 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Alternative designs are possible Contract: ARCADIS / Safeplay Systems TM 15

16 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Website – minute-by-minute updates villagegreen.epa.gov Educational and community outreach opportunity

17 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Website – minute-by-minute updates Scientists explaining air quality science via video and blog posts on EPA’s It All Starts with Science blog

18 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Examples of data reporting 18 Transitioned from mostly sunny and dry to stormy weather for July 1-7, hot and sunny on July 8 th, 2013 Diurnal up/down trends for ozone are driven by sun- driven chemistry; both ozone and PM also affected by vertical mixing

19 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Questions? We are happy to discuss how interested parties may obtain a VGP system and our experiences during its first half year of operation.

20 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Acknowledgements ORD ACE (Air, Climate, and Energy) Dan Costa, Tim Watkins, Ann Brown, Katie Lubinsky, Dana Buchbinder EPA ORD National Risk Management Research Laboratory Gayle Hagler, Eben Thoma, Bill Mitchell EPA ORD National Exposure Research Laboratory Vasu Kilaru, Russell Long, Melinda Beaver, Paul Solomon, Kelly Leovic, Emily Smith EPA ORD Innovation Team Peter Preuss, Stacey Katz, Gail Robarge EPA ORD Homeland Security Emily Snyder Bobby Sharpe-Arcadis; Sam Garvey & Keith Kronmiller-Alion