MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Translating data into action is what environmental justice coalitions are doing here in the Bluff City. One local organization made a hefty investment as it continues the fight for clean air.
Memphis Community Against Pollution announced a $250,000 investment dedicated to studying the air quality of southwest Memphis through community-based research and creating an air quality monitoring system.
“These resources have come from this community. And the activism and the activation that have built the Memphis Community Against Pollution, for which we are grateful. But we aren’t a government agency. We are, again, filling the void in government,” said Representative Justin J. Pearson, Chair, MCAP.
Last month, the city of Memphis released air quality testing results, where they found no dangerous pollutant levels, but experts say the data failed to monitor ozone and other dangerous pollutants.
This all comes amid concerns about the impact of billionaire Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer.
“The American Lung Association has given Shelby County an F grade for ozone pollution this year. The study used OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards for occupational exposures rather than the EPA National Ambient Air Quality standards. Okay, so use the wrong standards,” said Dr. Sacoby Wilson, Director, T.H.E. E.J.
The purple air and modular sensors only need Wi-Fi and a power source to function.
“What these sensors do is one, they’re shown to be extremely accurate, up to 80 to 90% as accurate as these EPA-approved monitors. Right? They provide round-the-clock coverage,” said Dr. Vivek Ravichandran, research and policy director.
And data is accessible through the Purple Air app.
Both young and old were on the front lines in the fight.
“It’s heartbreaking because this is ancestral land. There are people like there’s so much history in the land itself. And now the land, the air, and our environment are being poisoned,” said Jasmine Bernard, a Westwood resident.
Within the next month, a community workshop will be hosted to show residents how to use the data and take action.
“We say today no more, no more, no no no more, no more pollution,” said Sarah Gladney, a Boxtown resident.
WREG has reached out to the City of Memphis for comment. We’re waiting to hear back.