Bus Stop Air Quality Research
Starting October 1, our Bus Stop Air Quality Project empowers Black and Brown students, educators, and community members to investigate how bus emissions affect the air we breathe. Over multiple seasons, participants install IoT air sensors to measure PMâ‚‚.â‚…, COâ‚‚, and VOC levels at bus stops throughout Brownsville and other partner locations. You receive a ready-to-use curriculum and can choose to teach it yourself or have our team fully facilitate the program. Hands-on training ensures everyone—from students to community leaders—learns to set up sensors, collect quality data, and access live dashboards for real-time air quality insights.
Project Overview
This project is a powerful tool for sustained, community-driven research and advocacy. Studies show that bus-stop areas often contain elevated PM₂.₅ levels, up to 18 % higher inside shelters than outside, and in the Northeast, Black residents experience up to 61 % more vehicle-related PM₂.₅ exposure than white counterparts . Armed with local data, participants can identify pollution hotspots, support school and community policy efforts to reduce idling, and build long-term monitoring projects. Each season builds on the next, enabling groups to revisit data, compare trends, and contribute to a growing, living dataset that fuels environmental justice action.
Why It Matters
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Bus emissions contribute to higher levels of fine particulate matter (PMâ‚‚.â‚…) linked to asthma, heart disease, and other health problems.
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Black communities in urban environments often experience greater exposure to air pollution.
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Measuring and sharing data locally strengthens community advocacy efforts and supports equitable solutions.
How It Works
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Seasonal Measurement: Install IoT air sensors (PMâ‚‚.â‚…, COâ‚‚, VOCs) at bus stops starting October 1.
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Curriculum Included: We provide ready-to-use lesson plans, worksheets, and lab guides—or offer full facilitation.
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Hands-On Training: We train all participants in sensor setup, data collection, quality assurance, and introductory analysis.
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Real-Time Dashboards: Participants access live data dashboards, analyze trends, and create seasonal reports.
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Ongoing Research: Each seasonal phase builds on the last, allowing cohorts to develop longitudinal insights.
Who Should get involved
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Schools (classroom and after-school settings)
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Youth and community organizations
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Teachers, mentors, and parents
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Residents invested in environmental and public health
Ways to get involved
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Participate in the Bus Stop Project
Help install IoT air sensors and collect real-world data. -
Bring the Project to Your Site
Schools and community organizations can implement the project with our curriculum or full facilitation. -
Join a Seasonal Research Team
Collaborate with local residents and peers on real-time data collection and analysis. -
Become a Workshop Facilitator
Lead sensor‑building labs or dashboard training sessions. -
Sponsor a Sensor Kit
Fund a kit that empowers a team to monitor air quality at a bus stop or school. -
Share Your Insight
Contribute historical or cultural context to our cultural geozone storytelling. -
Support Ongoing Monitoring
Help sustain the project from season to season—each group builds on the next. -
Use the Data to Advocate
Leverage findings to inform school, transit, or city policies.
Next Steps
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The project kicks off October 1: start planning now!
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Email info@xyayxthemovement.org to schedule a consultation or receive the program packet.
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Let’s gather the data needed to make healthier, more equitable community spaces together.
