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VVAMP

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Here you will find everything related to Val Verde Air Monitoring Program in California. Acá encontrarás todo lo relacionado con el programa de monitoreo de aire de Val Verde, California (VVAMP).

On this page

This is the project page for the Val Verde Air Quality Monitoring Program (VVAMP). Background and motivation for Air Quality Monitoring
Questions - support our work by helping us work through these questions
How we monitor air - read and subscribe to recent updates on this project
Timeline - Creating and developing VVAMP
Data - supporting data we have related to this issue

Location

California´s Chiquita canyon landfill is located adjacent to the Val Verde neighborhood.

Background and motivations

The Chiquita Canyon Landfill has been operating in the community of Val Verde in Los Angeles County, CA since 1972. Throughout the history of the landfill’s operation, there has never been a local ambient air testing program, despite grievances from the community and multiple violations issued by South Coast Air Quality Management.

The community has odor concerns due to health-related issues like asthma and the psychological impact of not being comfortable in their houses due to odors. In the community’s fight against the landfill odor, and the premise of the right to know what they are breathing, residents have created VVAMP in order to conduct preliminary air monitoring results, collect, share, document, and report their concerns to every accessible body including to government agencies, the company itself and the public.

Goals

1) Regularly collect and share air quality monitoring data to grow the body of evidence on existing air quality and related concerns.
2) Have someone who is local (ideally Spanish speaking), trained to do the different types of monitoring necessary.
3) Developed a program that can be passed off about air quality monitoring in Val Verde including:
- Instructional materials and manual (Bilingual).
- A protocol. for when to test/ what is concerning about the landfill and its proximity to these Val Verde communities.
- Have instruments packed up and clear guidelines on how/best conditions to use them.
- Organize a lending material Library.

4) Work towards advocacy outcomes on the landfill issue including:
- Informing the public about the air quality on an ongoing basis and interfacing with local civic and regulatory boards.

People who are involved

Sara Sage, Chris Nidel, Jeremiah Dockray, Denisse Benítez and many more Val Verde residents who have volunteered their time. VVAMP is partnered with the Val Verde Civic Association (VVCA). You are welcome to participate as a volunteer or to serve as a member of our nonprofit board. Contact us at community[dot]vvamp[at]gmail[dot]com

How the air monitoring is done

IMG_4346.JPG These are some devices use to monitor air quality. Each device has a name (inspired by Bob Sponge characters) for identification.

We take readings of the local ambient air with air quality sensors and post data to our website at www.vvamp.org. We test daily and in case of an odor event.

IF YOU SMELL AN ODOR:
First: Call the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) at 1-800-CUT-SMOG. They are the regulatory agency and they verify the air quality. SCAQMD is very responsive to the community and works with the polluter to curb the source of the odor. The call will be anonymous.

Next: Call VVAMP at 661239-9390 to make an odor complaint. Please indicate the cross streets and address of the odor. Our Field techs will visit your location to take independent ambient air quality readings. We do not share your personal information.

WHAT DO WE MEASURE?
We measure Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Oxygen (O2), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Methane (CH4), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Ammonia (NH3), Formaldehyde (CH20), Particulate matter (PM), Humidity and temperature.

DEVICES WE USE

  • GX 6000 from RKI custom-made to read VOCs in parts per billion (ppb) only.
  • GX 2012 from RKI for CO, O2, H2S and CH4.
  • Eagle II from RKI for SO2, NH3 and H2S.
  • FP 31 from RKI for CH20 (CHOH).
  • The “Bucket” Air Quality Monitor from Public Lab.
  • UT938C from UNI-T for Humidity temp VOC 5.
  • Various stationary weather stations which automatically send data to the Wunderground network.

These devices are really easy to use from personal experience once they are ready to use. What is difficult is to service them: removing the data and calibrating them. We need to buy gas canisters created in the manufacturer’s lab with known quantities of gas to make sure they are reading correctly. We test daily and mark our location on our data collection sheet.

Updates

Interested in following along with the project? Subscribe to the tag below to get updates when the team posts new material directly to your inbox.

Subscribe to updates on this project

Title Author Updated Likes Comments
Logging Complex Odors @sarasage about 3 years ago 5
A quick question on the GX 6000 monitor @Ag8n about 3 years ago 0
Historical Chart Of Odor Complaints for VVAMP @denissebn_06 about 3 years ago 1
Troubleshooting the Bucket Monitor @sarasage about 3 years ago 3
What are air quality indicators you should watch for around a landfill that indicate you should take a grab sample? @stevie over 3 years ago 3
HOW WE RECOLLECT OUR DATA @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 0
Is there a correlation between humidity and particulates in the air? @sarasage over 3 years ago 3
Choosing Locations and Methodology for Air-Quality Gas Testing @sarasage over 3 years ago 2
Gas-Calibrated Monitor Explainer @sarasage over 3 years ago 0
Does anyone know why ambient oxygen levels would be higher than the normal 21%? @sarasage over 3 years ago 4
First hand experience on using Public Lab with Sara Sage @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 1
Bucket Monitor Build: VVAMP @sarasage over 3 years ago 0
Personal Introduction / Post de Presentación @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 0
Best Method(s) of Datalogging Location in the Field Without Cell Reception? @sarasage over 3 years ago 9

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions area:

Title Author Updated Likes Comments
A quick question on the GX 6000 monitor @Ag8n about 3 years ago 0
What are air quality indicators you should watch for around a landfill that indicate you should take a grab sample? @stevie over 3 years ago 3
Is there a correlation between humidity and particulates in the air? @sarasage over 3 years ago 3
What would be the optimal time according to the atm pressure to take measurements @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 1
How subsurface gasses migrate and what allows them to dissipate? Landfill gasses @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 4
What is kriging? How it works and how can we use it when measuring purple air? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 2
Does anyone know why ambient oxygen levels would be higher than the normal 21%? @sarasage over 3 years ago 4
What kind of continous air monitoring devices measure HAPs and PAHs? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 4
What kind of monitoring tools might I need to use to identify indicators before sampling with the bucket? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 0
What kind of event would trigger me needing to take an air sample with the bucket? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 1
Question about grab samples from the Bucket monitor tool: Which ones do I order? @amocorro over 3 years ago 3
Are you smelling odors in your community, and should you be concerned? @amocorro over 3 years ago 2
What are the most effective methods to monitor air quality if you live near a landfill? @amocorro over 3 years ago 3
Are you sampling local air quality? Are you sending results to a lab? Ask these questions! @amocorro over 3 years ago 1
Which Air Quality Monitroring devices you are using, do they make noise? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 2
How difficult is to figure out how to use Air Quality monitoring devices? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 2
Best Method(s) of Datalogging Location in the Field Without Cell Reception? @sarasage over 3 years ago 9
There are natural sources of VOCs, what are they? How do I avoid them in my air quality monitoring? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 3
When you don’t have permission to monitor on a property from the owners and/or your neighbors, what’s your method for asking them and/or getting permission to monitor? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 1


Timeline

Program research:

  • Consulted with experts in the months of January and February.
  • Support provided by Public Lab, four fellowship positions awarded.
  • Twice-monthly meetings, plus ongoing, daily support via Slack and technical guidance resources from Public Lab.
  • Will host air monitoring data on their site for the community to publicly access.

Ongoing Steps

  • Instructional Manual Development: Create a manual so anybody can do the air monitoring.
  • Reduce language barriers within the community. Eliminate the need for a complicated instrument manual for people sampling in the field. The manual will allow a wider pool of volunteers and potentially, paid community members to perform regular sampling.
  • Program Manual: the program manual is the final work product for the Public Lab Fellowship. Will allow for the program to continue regardless of board membership or personnel.
  • Ongoing illustration, science, and design project to be completed on November 1, 2021. All materials will be in English and Spanish.
  • Plan and set up Hacked Stationary-Monitoring.

Next Steps

  • Establish a monitoring tool lending library.
  • Continuing Air Quality monitoring.
  • Future monitoring for Particulate Matter (PM). And look into air quality and wildfire concerns in the community.

Data

We have recollected our data and continue updating the data. You can find it here




VVAMP_LOGOSwimClub.jpg

En esta página

Esta es la página de proyecto para el Programa de Monitoreo de Calidad de Aire de Val Verde.

Antecedentes y motivación para el Monitorea de Aire
Preguntas- Apoya nuestro trabajo ayudándonos con preguntas acerca de nuestro proyecto.
Actualizaciones- Lee y Suscribirse sobre actualizaciones de este proyecto.
Cronología- Sobre las circunstancias ocurridas y como las hemos enfrentado.
Datos- Datos de respaldo que tenemos sobre el problema.

Ubicación

El Relleno sanitario del cañón de Chiquita California esta ubicado adjunto a la comunidad de Val Verde.

Antecedentes y motivación

El Relleno sanitario del cañón de Chiquita ha operado en la comunidad de Val Verde en el Contado de Los Angeles, California desde 1972. A través de la historia de operación del relleno sanitario, nunca ha habido un programa local de teste de aire ambiental, a pesa de reclamos de la comunidad y múltiples violaciones emitidas por la Gestión de la calidad del aire de la costa Sur.
La comunidad tiene preocupaciones por los malos olores y como estos pueden estar relacionados problemas de salud como el asma, además del impacto psicológico de no estar cómodo en los propios hogares. En la lucha de la comunidad en contra del mal olor del relleno sanitario, y la premisa del derecho al saber, residentes han creado VVAMP con el fin de realizar monitoreo preliminar de aire, recolectar, compartir, documentar y reportar sus preocupaciones a cualquier cuerpo accesible incluyendo agencias del gobierno, la compañía del relleno sanitario y más importante el público.

Objetivos

1) Recolectarán y compartirán datos del monitorea de la calidad de aire para incrementar el cuerpo de evidencia sobre la calidad del aire existente y preocupaciones relacionadas.
2) Tener a alguien local (idealmente hispano hablante), entrenado para hacer los diferentes tipos de monitoreo necesario.
3) Desarrollar un programa que pueda ser compartido acerca del monitoreo de calidad de aire en Val Verde incluyendo:
- Un manual de instrucciones sobre los materiales (Bilingüe).
- Un protocolo sobre cuando testear que incluya lo que es preocupante sobre el relleno sanitario y su proximidad a esta comunidad de Val Verde.
- Tenes los instrumentos empacados y los lineamientos claros sobre cual es la mejor condición de usarlos.
- Organizar una Librería de préstamos de material.
4) Trabajar en base a resultados la abogacía acerca de los problemas del relleno sanitario, incluyendo:
- Informar al publico acerca de la calidad del aire de forma continua e interactuando con las juntas cívicas y reguladoras locales.

Personas involucradas

Sara Sage, Chris Nidel, Jeremiah Dockray, Denisse Benítez y muchos más Residentes de Val Verde que han voluntariado su tiempo. VVAMP está asociada con la Asociación cívica de Val Verde (VVCA). Tu estas bienvenido y bienvenida a participar como voluntario o para servir como miembro en la junta de nuestra organización sin fines de lucro. Contáctanos a community[dot]vvamp[at]gmail[dot]com

Cómo se hace el monitoreo de aire

IMG_4346.JPG _Estos son algunos dispositivos usados para el monitoreo de la calidad de aire. Cada uno ha sido nombrado (inspirados en los personajes de Bob Esponja) para su identificación. _

Tomamos lecturas locales del aire ambiental con sensores de calidad de aire y posteamos los datos y resultados en nuestra página web en www.vvamp.org Testeamos a diario y en caso de un evento de mal olor.

SI SIENTES UN MAL OLOR:

Primero: Llama al Manejo de Calidad de Aire de la Costa Sur (SCAQMD) al número 1-800-CUT-SMOG.

Son una agencia regulatoria y ellos verifican la calidad del aire. SCAQMD por sus siglas en inglés son muy receptivos con la comunidad y trabajan con el contaminante para frenar la fuente del mal olor. Personalmente hemos llamado a este número y nos han atendido bien, la llamada es anónima y no pueden compartir tu información con nadie.

Después: Llama a VVAMP al 661239-9390 para hacer una queja de mal olor. Por favor indique su ubicación con el cruce de calle donde se encuentra el mal olor. Nuestro técnico de campo visitará la ubicación para tomar muestra independiente de la calidad de aire ambiental. Nosotros no compartimos tu información.

¿QUÉ MEDIMOS?

Nosotros medimos Compuestos orgánicos volátiles (VOCs), Monóxido de carbono (CO), Oxigeno (O2), Sulfuro de hidrógeno (H2S), Metano (CH4), Dióxido de azufre (SO2), Amonio (NH3), Formaldehido (CH2O), Material particulado (PM), Humedad y temperatura.

DISPOSITIVOS QUE USAMOS

  • GX 6000 de la compañia RKI hecho a medida para leer VOCs solo en partes por mil millón (ppmm).
  • GX 2012 de la compañía RKI para medir CO, O2, H2S y CH4.
  • Eagle II de la compañía RKI para medir SO2, NH3 y H2S.
  • FP 31 de la compañía RKI para medir CH2O (CHOC)
  • La “Cubeta” para monitor de calidad de aire de Public Lab.
  • UT938C de la compañía UNI-T para medir Temperatura, Humedad y VOC 5
  • Varias estaciones de clima que automáticamente mandan la información a la red de “Wunderground”.

Estos dispositivos son fáciles de usar por nuestra experiencia personal cuando ya están listos para usar. Lo que es difícil es calibrarlos: descargar los datos y calibrarlos. Se necesita comprar las latas de gas manufacturado en laboratorio con las cantidades conocidas de los gases para asegurar que los dispositivos están leyendo la información de manera correcta. Medimos la calidad de aire diariamente y marcamos la dirección del lugar usando unas hojas de completado.

Actualizaciones

¿Interesado en seguir nuestros avances del proyecto? Suscríbete en cuadro azul para obtener notificaciones cuando el equipo postee materia.

Subscribe to updates on this project

Title Author Updated Likes Comments
Logging Complex Odors @sarasage about 3 years ago 5
A quick question on the GX 6000 monitor @Ag8n about 3 years ago 0
Historical Chart Of Odor Complaints for VVAMP @denissebn_06 about 3 years ago 1
Troubleshooting the Bucket Monitor @sarasage about 3 years ago 3
What are air quality indicators you should watch for around a landfill that indicate you should take a grab sample? @stevie over 3 years ago 3
HOW WE RECOLLECT OUR DATA @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 0
Is there a correlation between humidity and particulates in the air? @sarasage over 3 years ago 3
Choosing Locations and Methodology for Air-Quality Gas Testing @sarasage over 3 years ago 2
Gas-Calibrated Monitor Explainer @sarasage over 3 years ago 0
Does anyone know why ambient oxygen levels would be higher than the normal 21%? @sarasage over 3 years ago 4
First hand experience on using Public Lab with Sara Sage @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 1
Bucket Monitor Build: VVAMP @sarasage over 3 years ago 0
Personal Introduction / Post de Presentación @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 0
Best Method(s) of Datalogging Location in the Field Without Cell Reception? @sarasage over 3 years ago 9

Preguntas

Title Author Updated Likes Comments
A quick question on the GX 6000 monitor @Ag8n about 3 years ago 0
What are air quality indicators you should watch for around a landfill that indicate you should take a grab sample? @stevie over 3 years ago 3
Is there a correlation between humidity and particulates in the air? @sarasage over 3 years ago 3
What would be the optimal time according to the atm pressure to take measurements @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 1
How subsurface gasses migrate and what allows them to dissipate? Landfill gasses @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 4
What is kriging? How it works and how can we use it when measuring purple air? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 2
Does anyone know why ambient oxygen levels would be higher than the normal 21%? @sarasage over 3 years ago 4
What kind of continous air monitoring devices measure HAPs and PAHs? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 4
What kind of monitoring tools might I need to use to identify indicators before sampling with the bucket? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 0
What kind of event would trigger me needing to take an air sample with the bucket? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 1
Question about grab samples from the Bucket monitor tool: Which ones do I order? @amocorro over 3 years ago 3
Are you smelling odors in your community, and should you be concerned? @amocorro over 3 years ago 2
What are the most effective methods to monitor air quality if you live near a landfill? @amocorro over 3 years ago 3
Are you sampling local air quality? Are you sending results to a lab? Ask these questions! @amocorro over 3 years ago 1
Which Air Quality Monitroring devices you are using, do they make noise? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 2
How difficult is to figure out how to use Air Quality monitoring devices? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 2
Best Method(s) of Datalogging Location in the Field Without Cell Reception? @sarasage over 3 years ago 9
There are natural sources of VOCs, what are they? How do I avoid them in my air quality monitoring? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 3
When you don’t have permission to monitor on a property from the owners and/or your neighbors, what’s your method for asking them and/or getting permission to monitor? @denissebn_06 over 3 years ago 1

Cronología

Programa de investigación:

  • Se consultó a expertos en los meses de enero y febrero.
  • Apoyo proporcionado por Laboratorio Público, cuatro posiciones de becas dadas. -Reuniones bimensuales, además, de apoyo por medio de SLACK ademas de recursos y guías tecnicas.
  • Se alojará los datos de monitoreo de aire en su sitio web para acceso publico.

Pasos en curso:

  • Desarrollo del Manual de instrucciones: Creación de un manual para que cualquier persona pueda hacer monitoreo de aire.
  • Reducir las barreras del lenguaje ente la comunidad. Eliminar la necesidad de un complicado manual de instrumentos para las personas puedan realizar los muestreos en el campo. El manual permitirá que un grupo más amplio de voluntarios y potencialmente miembros de la comunidad pagados realicen muestreos regulares.
  • Programa de manual: este producto será el producto final para que el becado de Public Lab pueda continuar el programa sin necesidad de ser parte de la junta directiva de VVAMP.
  • Estamos trabajando en ilustraciones, ciencia y diseño del proyecto, planeamos terminar el 1º de Noviembre, 2021. Todos los materiales en español e Inglés.
  • Planificación y configuración de la estación de monitoreo continuo.

Siguientes pasos:

  • Establecer una biblioteca de préstamos de herramientas de monitoreo de calidad de aire.
  • Continuación de los monitoreos de calidad de aire.
  • Monitoreo futuro de material particulado (PM). Además de analizar las preocupaciones sobre la calidad del aire y los incendios forestales en la comunidad.

Datos

Hemos recolectado toda nuestra data en un excell que puedes encontrar Aqui.