Environmental Justice in Florida's Air Quality
Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Abigail Valley: Senior/ Accelerated Master's
Lead Presenter's Name
Abigail Valley
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Marwa El-Sayed
Abstract
Sustainability is a concept and approach that involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising that of future generations, balancing between economic, social, and environmental considerations. The social pillar to sustainability is strongly related to Environmental Justice (EJ), which defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), is the principle and practice of fair and equitable treatment of all individuals in matters concerning environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This study will both conduct a stakeholder analysis and follow “The 3 E’s” sustainability model, considering equity by ensuring equal treatment for everyone regarding air quality, ecology by promoting cradle to cradle products, and economy by driving innovative development. The aim of this study is to strive towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals of health and wellbeing and reduced inequalities by examining air quality in diverse regions of Florida. Tropospheric ozone levels, PM2.5, and PM10 were selected as the primary environmental indicators because these are all harmful pollutants having adverse effects on the environment and human health. We are tracking the changes in these pollutants from 2017 to 2022 across 67 air monitoring sites spread across Florida. To define the regions that suffer from environmental justice and lack thereof, we use the EPA’s Environmental Mapping & Screening Tool where ozone levels, low income, unemployment, and people of color represent the environmental, economic, and social indicators respectively. Lastly, this study has implications for EJ regions in and outside the US that suffer from high concentrations of ozone in the atmosphere.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Student Internal Grants
Environmental Justice in Florida's Air Quality
Sustainability is a concept and approach that involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising that of future generations, balancing between economic, social, and environmental considerations. The social pillar to sustainability is strongly related to Environmental Justice (EJ), which defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), is the principle and practice of fair and equitable treatment of all individuals in matters concerning environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This study will both conduct a stakeholder analysis and follow “The 3 E’s” sustainability model, considering equity by ensuring equal treatment for everyone regarding air quality, ecology by promoting cradle to cradle products, and economy by driving innovative development. The aim of this study is to strive towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals of health and wellbeing and reduced inequalities by examining air quality in diverse regions of Florida. Tropospheric ozone levels, PM2.5, and PM10 were selected as the primary environmental indicators because these are all harmful pollutants having adverse effects on the environment and human health. We are tracking the changes in these pollutants from 2017 to 2022 across 67 air monitoring sites spread across Florida. To define the regions that suffer from environmental justice and lack thereof, we use the EPA’s Environmental Mapping & Screening Tool where ozone levels, low income, unemployment, and people of color represent the environmental, economic, and social indicators respectively. Lastly, this study has implications for EJ regions in and outside the US that suffer from high concentrations of ozone in the atmosphere.