Since 2018, Harambee House and the CEAR Hub at Georgia Tech have partnered to strengthen coastal Georgia’s resilience to climate change, development, severe weather events, and other environmental challenges.

• Harambee House is a community-based nonprofit focused on leadership, strengthening communities, environmental justice, and social change.

• CEAR Hub is a coalition of nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions dedicated to serving frontline coastal communities across Georgia’s coast. The CEAR Hub uses community-driven, bottom-up planning to co-create strategies that are integrative, sustainable, and adaptable to changing conditions. Its work centers on developing and implementing transformative, evidence-based solutions.

Community Advisory Board

The Community Advisory Board for the Savannah Air Quality Monitoring Network is composed of community members focused on shaping the initiative’s goals, prioritizing sensor locations, directing communication with residents and decision makers, identifying educational needs, and steering community engagement. This group guides communication and coordination between the communities most impacted by air pollution and partner organizations.

Technical Advisory Group

The technical advisory group is composed of researchers and other experts who provide expertise on sensor technology, monitoring protocols, and quality control. They offer valuable insight on data analysis and the translation of technical information.

Regulatory Monitors

Savannah has two regulatory monitors operated by the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 

• The Savannah East President monitor is a federal reference method (FRM) monitor that measures ozone and sulfur dioxide levels. It is located near the Pine Gardens neighborhood on the east side of Savannah.

• The Savannah L&A monitor is a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) monitor measuring particulate matter (PM 2.5, PM 10) and sulfur dioxide levels. It is located near the Woodville neighborhood on the west side of Savannah.

• Georgia Annual Ambient Air Monitoring Reports from Georgia EPD.

Purple Air Monitors

Since 2018, Harambee House and CEAR Hub at Georgia Tech have been actively monitoring air quality by installing Purple Air sensors in near-port neighborhoods. These sensors provide real-time data on particulate matter, temperature, humidity, and pressure. The Purple Air monitors are part of a broader network of environmental sensors that CEAR Hub maintains across coastal Georgia, measuring air pollution, water levels, urban flooding, rainfall, and soil temperature. Harambee House and CEAR Hub are working on updating and replacing many of the original Purple Air monitors, which have reached the end of their lifespan.

• Savannah’s Purple Air Monitors 

Harambee House and CEAR Hub are currently working with the Community Advisory Board and Technical Advisory Group to find new locations for sensors in Savannah’s westside neighborhoods. 

Savannah’s Air Quality Index (AQI)

• AirNow - the federal government’s one-stop source for air quality data

• Georgia Ambient Air Quality Program - air quality data and annual reports from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources 

Savannah Air Quality Monitoring Network Webinar (April 2026)

Learn about current efforts and next steps for air quality monitoring in Greater West Savannah.

This webinar features experts who share analysis of recent data and discuss strategies to improve air quality monitoring.

• Webinar
  

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Air Monitoring Study Final Report: Post Completion of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (July 2025)

From 2015-2022, the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) deepened 32 miles of the Savannah River from 42 feet to 47 feet to allow larger ships to access the Port of Savannah. From March 2024-April 2025, GPA monitored particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon to evaluate potential air quality impacts on surrounding communities from the Savannah Harbor’s service of post-Panamax ships in normal operations. The report found that SHEP, in terms of larger vessels, did not impact PM2.5 levels.

• Report

Savannah Community Science Air Quality Sampling (December 2024)

Residents and community partners tested for a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes. While the results cannot be used to definitively state whether Savannah’s air quality is in regulatory limits or if the air is safe or harmful to people’s health, it did indicate that neighborhoods near the port and local industry (Garden City, Hudson Hill, Ogeecheeton and Yamacraw Village) seem to be exposed to more chemicals and at higher concentrations than the comparison site located further away from these industries (Pin Point).

Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL) Task Force (2020)

In 2020, the City of Savannah created the Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL) Task Force. Related to air quality, the task force recommended that Savannah:

• Conduct a full study, followed by developing a cross-sector air pollution action plan with the local industrial sector and the Board of Education.

• Distribute air monitors, humidifiers, and air purifiers to families in affected areas of the city through community health workers.

• In-service training on identifying respiratory conditions to medical and school staff.

• Partner with the local food bank to provide food that reduces asthma to affected families.

• Establish a Childhood Asthma Registry.

• Develop a residential weatherization program that prioritizes the highest energy burdened households.

Air Quality Improvement Action Plan for Savannah’s Near-Port Communities (2017-2018)

In partnership with EPA Region 4, Harambee House led the development of this plan, which set out four key goals:

1. Reduce Air Quality Impacts on the Community

2. Increase Near-Port Neighborhood Quality of Life and Resilience

3. Increase Community Decision-Making Involvement and Engagement

4. Enhance Relationships and Information Exchange with Port-Related Entities