The Air Partners team is currently working with the local East Boston Community to:
Study the effect Air Traffic has on Air Quality
Design and implement solutions to reduce UFP Exposure
Increase community awareness and engage local lawmakers
Democratize Air Quality Data, allowing residents to take charge of their health
We are currently tackling this complex issue from multiple angles. We are conducting scientific studies showing connections between plane traffic and elevated particle concentration. We are running an air proofing pilot program that equips classrooms with HEPA air Purifiers to improve indoor air health. We are designing an app that allows people to understand current air conditions so they can take charge of their health altering their behavior to reduce exposure. We are running a study to demonstrate the efficacy of HEPA air purifiers at reducing UFP concentrations in the indoor environment. We hope this data will aid in working toward providing East Boston residents with free HEPA air purifiers. We are also developing an app to give people in East Boston access to local, real-time air quality data.
HEPA purifier subsidy program + data collection
About Air Purifiers: HEPA air purifiers improve the quality of indoor air, reducing concentrations of UFPs and other airborne particles. This helps alleviate symptoms of asthma and common illnesses. HEPA air purifiers also remove common allergens like dust particles, mold spores, and pollen from the air, reducing seasonal allergy symptoms.
We plan to deploy HEPA air purifiers in 25 dwellings and 125 classrooms in East Boston, where local air quality is most affected by plane traffic to and from Logan Airport.
For our HEPA purifier study, we are continuously measuring indoor and outdoor concentrations of UFPs, both before and after installing a HEPA air purifier. After we’re done collecting data, our study participants keep their HEPA purifiers, ensuring that their air stays healthy and breathable.
App development
The Real Time Air Quality Data Team is working on creating tools to empower the residents of East Boston to take control of their pollutant exposure and engage in data-based advocacy. To do this we are creating a publicly accessible app that will provide residents with real time air quality data and resources to understand how to act in response to that data. The Real Time Air Quality Data Team takes pride in talking with community members to create an application that works with the community.
Outreach and Engagement
Community involvement is a key part of Air Partners’ work. We use a user-centric design philosophy built on trust and cooperation. Currently, we are engaging with the community to learn what works for them and how to make the biggest impact, aiming to educate people on local air quality issues and make information more accessible.
We are also involved with local elected officials trying to implement wider scale change across East Boston.
Data Analytics
In partnership with QuantAQ, Air Partners has access to an East Boston pollution monitoring sensor network. This sensor network provides invaluable insights into the effect air traffic has on regional air quality.
We combine our sensor grid results with flight data to track individual planes’ contributions to pollution in East Boston.