Alerting polluted air in the Palisades region
In the heart of San Diego Comic-Con, 27 must-see panels are drawing crowds, but across the country, a different kind of event is unfolding. The Palisades area, affected by recent wildfires, is now under the watchful eye of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
UCLA has installed 20 air quality sensors in and near the Palisades fire burn zone to measure pollution levels. The monitors sample the air every 5 to 10 minutes, checking for fine particles spewed out by fires and car exhausts, and slightly larger dust-like particles stirred up by debris removal.
The air quality in the Palisades, as monitored by these sensors, is currently reported as mostly good to moderate. However, there was a period when one sensor indicated unhealthy levels of PM10 particles—larger particulate matter that can cause irritation and health issues. This sensor later showed improvement, returning to a good air quality status.
This real-time monitoring is part of a UCLA-led project called the Community Action Project (CAP AIR), which aims to provide residents with immediate, localized updates about potential pollution hotspots. The project is especially crucial during recovery phases involving heavy debris removal and reconstruction, as PM10 monitoring is less common but critical in such situations.
Residents are advised to avoid areas showing unhealthy air quality, keep windows closed, or wear N-95 masks when necessary based on sensor alerts. UCLA professor Yifang Zhu, leading the effort, emphasizes the importance of this data for community health.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Los Angeles, there are other stories making headlines. The Friday Night Latin District is bringing culture and community back to downtown L.A., while the Altons proudly share the oldies sound of East L.A. with the world. Columnists Michael Hiltzik, Jackie Calmes, Sammy Roth, and Mark Weisbrot are adding their voices to the ongoing discussions on topics ranging from the office of the presidency to farmland and solar power, and even the rebranding of Twitter.
As for Elon Musk, he recently rebranded Twitter to X on July 24, 2023, but business columnist Steve Lopez took a week off and couldn't escape the grim news. However, for those concerned about air quality in their neighborhood, they can sign up to be alerted by email when particulate pollution reaches an unhealthy level.
[1] UCLA Newsroom. (2023, July 20). UCLA deploys air quality sensors to monitor Palisades fire burn zone. Retrieved from https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-deploys-air-quality-sensors-to-monitor-palisades-fire-burn-zone
[2] UCLA Newsroom. (2023, August 4). UCLA air quality sensors help monitor Westside construction dust. Retrieved from https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-air-quality-sensors-help-monitor-westside-construction-dust
[3] UCLA Newsroom. (2023, August 10). UCLA air quality sensors help monitor Palisades fire recovery. Retrieved from https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-air-quality-sensors-help-monitor-palisades-fire-recovery
[4] UCLA Newsroom. (2023, August 15). UCLA air quality sensors help monitor Palisades fire debris removal. Retrieved from https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-air-quality-sensors-help-monitor-palisades-fire-debris-removal
- The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health is overseeing the air quality in the Palisades area, a region impacted by wildfires.
- UCLA has deployed 20 air quality sensors in the Palisades fire burn zone for continuous monitoring.
- These air quality sensors measure pollution levels, focusing on fine particles and larger particulate matter.
- Despite some episodes of unhealthy air quality, the monitored air quality in the Palisades is generally good to moderate.
- The UCLA-led Community Action Project (CAP AIR) aims to provide residents with immediate updates on potential pollution hotspots.
- Residents are encouraged to follow sensor alerts, wearing N-95 masks when necessary and avoiding areas with unhealthy air quality.
- Across Los Angeles, diverse stories are unfolding, such as the return of the Friday Night Latin District and the East L.A. oldies sound shared by the Altons.
- Columnists in Los Angeles contribute their opinions on various topics, including the presidency, farmland, solar power, and Twitter rebranding.
- Elon Musk rebranded Twitter as 'X' on July 24, 2023, but the impact on the business world was overshadowed by grim news.
- Residents concerned about air quality in their neighborhoods can sign up to receive email alerts when particulate pollution levels become unhealthy.
- The air quality monitoring project in the Palisades has evolved to include phases involving debris removal and reconstruction.
- UCLA's air quality sensors help to ensure that the Palisades area recovers safely, with minimum impact on the health and wellness of its residents, and maintains a prosperous environment for Los Angeles' culture, music, and entertainment industries, including Hollywood, USC, UCLA, and the Rams.
