We hypothesize that the community members in the study area (Beaumont-Port Arthur) are very vulnerable to environmental disasters and exposed to severe air pollution, which leads to serious health risks and disparities. We also hypothesize that current lack of air monitoring could be improved with a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach by using a combination of low-cost air monitors to cover a variety of land uses.

Dr. Tianjun Lu has rich experience research background in air pollution exposure assessment, citizen science, and environmental and transportation planning. He is responsible for the major activities of the project, including:

1. conducting community training on air quality monitoring and data collection,

2. launching a community-based air monitoring campaign in the Gulf region to measure ambient criteria air pollutants and major volatile organic compounds.