In response to growing concerns about air quality in Savannah’s near-port communities, the CEAR Hub at Georgia Tech and Harambee House have collaborated to engage experts and resources aimed at addressing residents' environmental concerns.
As part of these efforts, a Community Science Air Monitoring activity took place in December 2024. Community members participated in a coordinated effort to measure air quality simultaneously in the Hudson Hill, Garden City, Ogeecheeton, Yamacraw Village, and Pin Point neighborhoods. The initiative used specialized monitoring equipment provided by the Underwriter Laboratories Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) to collect data over a one-hour period.
In February, CIRI researcher Dr. Mark Wilson presented the initial findings from the monitoring event to local community partners. Along with Dr. Christa Wright, he discussed how CIRI could further support Savannah’s near-port neighborhoods through expanded air quality monitoring and research. Students from Georgia Tech’s Earth and Atmospheric Science courses are also contributing by assisting with data collection and analysis. This spring, an Environmental Field Methods class will visit Savannah, deploying a mobile air quality trailer to capture real-time air quality data.
This initiative highlights a growing effort to use community-driven science to address environmental concerns, ensuring that residents actively participate in air quality research and policy discussions.
