ImpactNV is happy to announce our involvement in a new program to monitor air quality in East Las Vegas. Latinx communities in East Las Vegas will soon have access to an improved air quality monitoring program, thanks to a $200k grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The name of this new project is Buen Aire Para Todos (which means “clean air for all” in Spanish) and it will be led by ImpactNV with support from DRI, the City of Las Vegas, Make the Road Nevada, and the East Las Vegas Library.

Residents of East Las Vegas (pop. 101,685) are disproportionally impacted by poor air quality and extreme heat, due to factors such as pollution from major highways, older homes without air conditioning, low access to personal vehicles, and low incomes (median household income = $29,994). Buen Aire Para Todos will help to address some of the long-standing issues related to environmental justice and air quality in East Las Vegas, where approximately 65 percent of residents are Hispanic and many work in outdoor service jobs.

Buen Aire Para Todos will improve the air quality monitoring capabilities in East Las Vegas through the creation of a new air quality monitoring system made up of stationary and mobile outdoor sensors, as well as indoor sensors. Ten stationary outdoor Purple Air sensors will be installed on public buildings, street lights, or other public areas. Ten mobile sensors will be placed on food carts and food trucks, in partnership with business owners. And an additional 20 indoor sensors will be placed in the residences of voluntary program participants, in association with a program to test the effectiveness of HVAC air filters. These sensors will provide improved data on air quality for local residents, and allow the City of Las Vegas to access real time, high resolution data for one of the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.

The project will also focus on expanding community awareness, education, and outreach to help residents better understand air quality measurements and health impacts of poor air quality and extreme heat. The project team will conduct community focus groups, organize educational outreach events, and share data with community members.

More information will be forthcoming as we get ready to launch this exciting and much needed new project!