Abstract
Air pollution is linked to increased risk for health problems, with a disproportionate impact on those living in industrial communities. Although many air quality studies have been conducted through the lens of (in)equity, relatively few include the perspective of residents as part of the program design. This study focused on one industrial community and aimed to understand residents' knowledge and experience related to air pollution, its impact on health, and thoughts on intervention strategies, to develop a community-led strategy to decrease pollution exposure. This Institutional Review Board-approved study took place in a community that is home to the largest coke manufacturing facility in the United States. Three focus groups were conducted with 21 residents from August to October 2019. Three major themes emerged: (1) the local mill as a major source of air pollution with a complicated history with the city and a lot of power; (2) residents linked bad air with generations of adverse health conditions; (3) a need for regular communication around air quality and consistent community-based programming, including workshops and education. Residents' perspectives on air quality and health will inform the design of a community-led intervention that includes communication of daily air quality readings and accessible education.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.