Madee
October 23, 2024
In this post, we’re going to take a look at a HabitatDAO project in East Flatbush, Brooklyn that focuses on air quality.
The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. This temperature difference is primarily due to the replacement of natural surfaces like vegetation with impervious materials such as concrete and asphalt. These materials absorb and retain more heat, leading to higher temperatures in urban areas. The urban heat island effect can exacerbate air pollution problems by creating conditions that favor the formation of pollutants, trapping them, and increasing emissions.
In the Breaking Ground air quality project, we set out to understand how air quality differs in different spaces of an urban area. The Breaking Ground air quality sensors are located in the East Flatbush neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. Two sensors are located in a paved parking lot and another two sensors are located in a community garden nearby. East Flatbush is a busy area that experiences heavy traffic congestion at times. The neighborhood's air quality can be impacted by emissions from its proximity to major transportation hubs and industrial facilities.
One of the parking lot sensors at Breaking Ground.
We started out with one sensor deployed in the SUNY parking lot and one in the Breaking Ground garden. A few months later, we expanded the deployment and added an additional sensor to each location. Some challenges we faced were unstable internet connection in the parking lot and having the Breaking Ground garden being removed due to neighborhood safety issues.
One of the garden sensors at Breaking Ground.
How did the air quality readings compare? We found that the AQI readings generally followed the overall AQI data from the EPA. Although we had the 4 sensors located in two different environments, there wasn’t one sensor that had significantly higher or lower AQI readings consistently.
Air quality data in December 2023 from the Breaking Ground air quality sensors compared the EPA data for NYC.
Air quality data in May 2024 from the Breaking Ground air quality sensors compared the EPA data for NYC.
Air quality data in July 2024 from the Breaking Ground air quality sensors compared the EPA data for NYC.
One volunteer reached out with insights on the temperature readings among the four different air monitors. One air quality monitor (North AQ Sensor) located in the parking lot measured a peak temperature of 103°F, more than 10°F hotter than the other parking lot air quality monitor (Security Booth AQ Sensor) that was sheltered from direct sunlight. They hypothesized that both direct sunlight and heat from the masonry wall the sensor was attached to could both contribute to the difference in temperature.
Data analysis of the sensor temperature readings from a volunteer.
In contrast, the two garden sensors did not experience as high peak temperatures compared to the parking lot sensor. One garden monitor (West AQ Sensor) experienced a peak temperature earlier in the morning, but quickly cooled off later in the day, while the other air monitor (East AQ Sensor) gradually and slightly increased in temperature and remained mostly steady through the rest of the day.
By advocating for more green space in cities, we can create more sustainable, resilient, and livable urban environments. Green spaces are not only essential for combating the urban heat island effect but also for promoting improved public health and better environmental quality.
We are deeply grateful to our generous grant sponsor, The Solana Foundation, for their invaluable support, which is helping us bring this project to life and explore new approaches to environmental engagement that we hope will make a lasting impact.
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