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The EPA funded citizen science to address gaps in air monitoring. Will it result in cleaner air?

Summary

The EPA has awarded $53 million in grants to 133 community groups to monitor air quality in underserved areas, aiming to address gaps in air monitoring. These efforts, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan, empower communities to track pollution from industrial operations. However, the data collected may not drive regulatory changes, as some states, like Louisiana, have passed laws blocking its use in regulatory or legal matters. Despite these challenges, communities see the data as a tool for grassroots advocacy and public awareness, hoping to drive political and environmental reforms.

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