IDENTIFYING SCIENCE TOOLS TO INVESTIGATE COMMUNITY CONCERNS ABOUT THE PLACEMENT OF GAS STATIONS NEAR RESIDENTIAL AREAS

This project examines the environmental impact of gas stations through three interconnected research approaches: air quality monitoring, geographical analysis of residential areas, and soil contamination assessments. Central to the study is the active involvement of local community members to understand the implications of gas stations on their environment and health. The first component involves using Purple Air sensors to measure particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air. These sensors quantify harmful particles like dust, soot, and chemicals released by combustion processes such as vehicle exhaust and industrial activities. During this phase, the project emphasizes community participation by addressing local concerns and highlighting the importance of air quality for public health. The second component uses ArcGIS Pro software to analyze spatial relationships between gas stations, residential properties, and home values. The proximity of gas stations to residential areas is examined to explore potential correlations between air quality issues and property values. Spatial distance measurements are also taken to better understand the impact of gas stations on residents’ daily lives. The third part of the project focuses on soil quality analysis using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology to identify heavy metals in soil samples that often are linked to traffic-related pollution. This analysis aims to evaluate the impact of nearby gas stations and traffic on soil contamination levels. Through this community-driven research, residents collaborate with scientists to understand environmental health risks. This initiative provides valuable data on the environmental footprint of gas stations and traffic emissions.