| Title: | Public Participation in Air Sampling and Water Quality Test Kit Development to Enable Citizen Science |
| Author(s): | Haynes EN; Hilbert TJ; Roberts R; Quirolgico J; Shepler R; Beckner G; Veevers J; Burkle J; Jandarov R; |
| Journal Title: | Prog Community Health Partnersh |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1557-055X (Electronic) 1557-0541 (Print) 1557-0541 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Public participation in environmental data collection is a rapidly growing approach providing opportunity for hands-on public engagement in environmental field studies. This methodology is important when addressing community-identified exposure concerns. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to establish an academic-community partnership between University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers and local officials and residents of Guernsey County, Ohio, to address their interest in assessing environmental quality near proposed and operating natural gas extraction (NGE) waste sites. METHODS: A pilot research study was developed using community-based participatory research principles. A community resident was trained to collect air samples. Air was sampled at 10 locations for 63 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Water quality test kits were developed in partnership with local middle and high school teachers. RESULTS: Community partners were involved throughout the project. VOCs were detected at all locations. Nineteen unique VOCs were detected; one was above the recommended exposure level. Findings were reported back to local officials and community members. Water quality test kits were developed and then piloted in middle school and high school classrooms. CONCLUSIONS: Academic-community partnerships were instrumental in the identification of sampling locations, obtaining the participation of landowners, and conducting sampling. Measuring the impact of NGE activities on air quality is challenging owing to competing exposures, limited resources, and access to sites. Water quality test kits were found by Guernsey County teachers to be useful tools in the classroom" |
| Keywords: | Air Pollutants/*analysis Air Pollution/*analysis Citizen Science/*methods/statistics & numerical data Community Participation/*methods/statistics & numerical data Environmental Monitoring/*methods/statistics & numerical data Humans Ohio Pilot Projects Uni; |
| Notes: | "MedlineHaynes, Erin N Hilbert, Timothy J Roberts, Rusty Quirolgico, John Shepler, Rachael Beckner, Gerry Veevers, Jennifer Burkle, Jeff Jandarov, Roman eng P30 ES006096/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/ P30 ES026529/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural 2019/06/11 Prog Community Health Partnersh. 2019; 13(2):141-151. doi: 10.1353/cpr.2019.0028" |
