Our Research
In collaboration with residents from Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Cole, and Clayton neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado, our research project aimed to understand and address the disruption caused by the Central 70 highway reconstruction project and related neighborhood redevelopment, as well as local sources of air pollution.
This was accomplished through several components of the research study from January 2021 to August 2023. We engaged residents as community scientists to ensure the results of this study spoke to the needs of the community.
Community Air Monitoring
Every 6 months starting in January 2021, 50 residents participating in the study used consumer-grade environmental monitors to measure air pollution in their immediate area for 30 days. We also conducted focus groups that helped us understand the daily experience of residents. The results helped inform mitigation efforts to reduce their exposure, such as study-led home improvements and suggestions for residents with identified poor indoor air quality.
Surveys
Every 6 months starting in January 2021, we had 200 community residents complete a survey. The survey was used to collect experiences related to construction and pollution, health and wellbeing, social connectedness, and other issues experienced by the community.
Smartphone App
Every 6 months starting in January 2021, 200 community residents used a smartphone app developed for this project, PurEmotion, to report daily experiences related to construction and pollution for 30 days. Additional project development included an app for transportation suggestions (PureNav) and an app for air quality information (PureConnect). Community residents helped shape the development of all three apps.
Community Engagement and Focus Groups
Since January 2021, we have worked with local organizations to develop our study goals and hired residents as community connectors. Engagement with local groups continued through the other components of the project below. Over the summer of 2021, we conducted focus groups with neighborhood residents to understand what issues concerned residents.
Youth Summer Camps
During summer 2022 and 2023, we offered a free summer camp to local youth residents on air quality monitoring and science education. The summer camps prioritized enrollment for study participants’ children.
Compensation
All activities related to the study detailed above included compensation for participating residents as community scientists (except for the summer camps). If you’d like to get in contact with a member of our research team, contact us.