Abstract
Background: Public participation in environmental data collectionis a rapidly growing approach providing opportunityfor hands-on public engagement in environmental fieldstudies. This methodology is important when addressingcommunity-identified exposure concerns. Objectives: Our goal was to establish an academic–communitypartnership between University of Cincinnati(UC) researchersand local officials and residents of GuernseyCounty, Ohio, to address their interest in assessing environmentalquality near proposed and operating natural gasextraction (NGE) waste sites. Methods: A pilot research study was developed using community-based participatory research principles. A community resident was trained to collect air samples. Air was sampled at 10 locations for 63 volatile organic compounds(VOCs). Waterquality test kits were developed in partnership with local middle and high school teachers. Results: Community partners were involved throughout the project. VOCs were detected at all locations. Nineteen unique VOCs were detected; one was above the recommended exposure level. Findings were reported back to local officials and community members. Water quality test kits were developed and then piloted in middle school and high school classrooms. Conclusions: Academic–community partnerships wereinstrumental in the identification of sampling locations,obtaining the participation of landowners, and conductingsampling. Measuring the impact of NGE activities on airquality is challenging owing to competing exposures, limitedresources, and access to sites. Water quality test kits werefound by Guernsey County teachers to be useful tools in the classroom.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 141-151 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors acknowledge the valuable contributions of thelocal residents who participated in the air quality study, theGuernsey County commissioners for their guidance, as wellas the Guernsey County Emergency Management Agency andthe Guernsey County Maps Department. We also acknowledgeZane Zehnder and Hope Bradshaw, the teachers whopiloted the water quality test kits with their students and whosefeedback was instrumental in the success of the water qualitytest kits. This work was supported by funding from NationalInstitute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30ES006096).The study was performed when authors E.N.H. and R.S. werewith the University of Cincinnati
Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge the valuable contributions of the local residents who participated in the air quality study, the Guernsey County commissioners for their guidance, as well as the Guernsey County Emergency Management Agency and the Guernsey County Maps Department. We also acknowledge Zane Zehnder and Hope Bradshaw, the teachers who piloted the water quality test kits with their students and whose feedback was instrumental in the success of the water quality test kits. This work was supported by funding from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30ES006096). The study was performed when authors E.N.H. and R.S. were with the University of Cincinnati.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Johns Hopkins University Press. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Air quality monitoring
- citizen science
- community-based participatory research
- community-engaged research
- hydraulic fracturing
- school-based
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (all)