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CCRAB leads community-driven projects to better understand and improve the air we breathe. Our air quality work focuses on neighborhoods most affected by industrial activity, heavy traffic, and port operations.
CCRAB leads community-driven projects to better understand and improve the air we breathe. Our air quality work focuses on neighborhoods most affected by industrial activity, heavy traffic, and port operations.
CCRAB coordinates a network of PurpleAir sensors (pictured above) across North Charleston and surrounding communities. These low-cost, real-time monitors give residents access to neighborhood-level air quality data, helping families and decision-makers understand daily pollution patterns. Visit this link to view a real-time map of PurpleAir sensor data on air quality.
CCRAB coordinates a network of PurpleAir sensors (pictured above) across North Charleston and surrounding communities. These low-cost, real-time monitors give residents access to neighborhood-level air quality data, helping families and decision-makers understand daily pollution patterns. Visit this link to view a real-time map of PurpleAir sensor data on air quality.
Citizen Science Engagement
Citizen Science Engagement
We train and support community members—students, residents, and local leaders—to become Citizen Scientists. Through workshops, classroom programs, and hands-on data collection, participants learn how air pollution affects health and how to use monitoring tools to advocate for cleaner air.
We train and support community members—students, residents, and local leaders—to become Citizen Scientists. Through workshops, classroom programs, and hands-on data collection, participants learn how air pollution affects health and how to use monitoring tools to advocate for cleaner air.
Research to Action
Research to Action
CCRAB turns data into action. We work with schools, neighborhood associations, health professionals, and policymakers to share findings and drive meaningful change. Whether it’s raising awareness about local pollution sources or informing public health strategies, our projects are designed to connect science with community priorities.
CCRAB turns data into action. We work with schools, neighborhood associations, health professionals, and policymakers to share findings and drive meaningful change. Whether it’s raising awareness about local pollution sources or informing public health strategies, our projects are designed to connect science with community priorities.
CCRAB coordinates the Charleston Community Air Monitoring Network (CCAMN), a collaboration between near-port communities, academia, industry, and regulatory agencies to collaborate across multiple air pollution data collection activities and improve local knowledge of air quality among residents.
The project is the result of a university-community partnership between the Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC), the Charleston Community Research to Action Board (CCRAB), and the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
WHAT DO WE MEASURE AND WHY?
Both monitors measure an air pollutant known as particulate matter (PM2.5).
Both monitors measure an air pollutant known as particulate matter (PM2.5).
PM2.5 are fine particles not visible to the naked eye. They pose the greatest risks to health, as they can get into your lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases with long-term exposure.
PM2.5 are fine particles not visible to the naked eye. They pose the greatest risks to health, as they can get into your lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases with long-term exposure.
Common sources for this type of pollution include combustion engines (both diesel and gas), solid-fuel (coal, lignite, heavy oil, and biomass) combustion for energy production in households and industry, as well as other industrial activities (building, mining, smelting, and manufacture of cement, ceramic and bricks).
Common sources for this type of pollution include combustion engines (both diesel and gas), solid-fuel (coal, lignite, heavy oil, and biomass) combustion for energy production in households and industry, as well as other industrial activities (building, mining, smelting, and manufacture of cement, ceramic and bricks).
Skip Mikell (CCRAB Board Chair and President of Union Heights, Windsor Place, Five Mile, and Howard Heights Neighborhood Association) discussing air quality research
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