City of Bloomington Publishes Results from an Air Quality Study, a Climate Projections Extreme Heat Report, and a Story Map

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~ Bloomington, IN- The City of Bloomington recently conducted an air quality study in collaboration with CAPA Strategies to measure the distribution of particulate matter (PM) across the city. The study was conducted during the heat mapping campaign on August 4, 2024, with volunteers placing PM sensors on their cars and driving along five predetermined routes at 6 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. The sensors were then placed at stationary locations for 21 days.

PM is made up of tiny air particles from various sources such as automobiles, construction equipment, agricultural processes, industrial plants, and wildfires. PM particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, known as PM2.5, can be particularly harmful to human health when inhaled in high concentrations.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), when PM2.5 measurements reach a 24-hour average between 12-35 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter), there may be some risk to people who are sensitive to air pollution. During the study, all sensors located across the city had at least one day with a daily average over 12 μg/m3, with one sensor recording six days above this level. The EPA recommends that sensitive individuals such as children, older adults, those with pre-existing heart or lung diseases, pregnant women, individuals with diabetes, and those who exercise heavily outdoors should consider shortening outdoor activities or wearing an N-95 HEPA filter air mask while outside.

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Residents can monitor Bloomington's real-time air quality by visiting the website AirNow. The results from the study are available on the City of Bloomington's Sustainable Bloomington website for residents to view. CAPA Strategies has also provided a summary report highlighting key findings and methodologies used to create distribution maps.

In addition to the air quality study, CAPA Strategies also completed a Climate Projections Extreme Heat Report for Bloomington. This report predicts high temperatures in the city by 2050 and 2100 based on two greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The report will help the City understand the future impacts of climate change and inform climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

A story map has been created by CAPA Strategies, showcasing all of their work for the City of Bloomington, including the HeatWatch Campaign, Air Quality Study, and Climate Projections. The story map allows residents to view key highlights from the data, explore the hottest and coolest areas of the city, and see areas with the highest concentrations of particulate matter.

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Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability, expressed gratitude to all those who participated in the air quality study. He stated that the data collected will help inform the community about the quality of their air and how it may be impacted by climate change. Miya also emphasized the need for increased investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in homes, businesses, organizations, and municipal buildings. Residents can stay informed about tax credits and rebates for these investments by visiting the City of Bloomington's Sustainable Bloomington website and subscribing to their ESD Instagram account.

For more information on Bloomington's sustainability efforts and climate action plans, residents can visit the City's Climate Action Dashboard or contact sustain@bloomington.in.gov.

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