"Understanding Air Quality Data in the Bay Area" - An Interview With Michael Flagg of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District

by Samantha Dvorin, Archie Williams High School 

Michael Flagg is a principal air quality specialist at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in the Ambient Air Quality Analysis Office Section. Prior to working at BAAQMD, Flagg worked at the EPA’s Region 9 Air Quality Analysis for 10 years where he was a national expert on air monitoring, quality assurance and control, and data analysis regarding federal policy decisions. He has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, Flagg presented “Understanding Air Quality Data in the Bay Area" at the Marin Science Seminar. We asked him some questions about what he does.

1. How does air quality monitoring using professional high-tech equipment differ from monitoring with air sensors that any person can purchase?

The main difference is the purpose of the monitoring. The high-tech equipment the Air District uses in its air monitoring sites is used to track air quality over time, ensure compliance with health-based air quality standards, and provide accurate information to the public. Air sensors are typically used for collecting air quality data in lots of different places. Community groups use these networks to determine where air quality may be higher and use that information to advocate for a reduction in emissions. Also, the high-tech equipment is very expensive and takes full-time employees to run every day, while sensors are relatively cheaper and easier to operate.

2. What does a day at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District look like for you?

A typical day starts with checking my email for any new incoming requests for data analysis, input on different projects, or answering questions about air quality and air monitoring. Generally, I try to look a the most recent air quality data every day to stay informed about what is happening in the Bay Area. Most of my time is working on specific projects, like data analysis, working with community groups on air monitoring, or reviewing documents.

Image from Flagg's San Francisco Chronicle Article

3. Why do you think air quality and pollution management are so important?

Breathing clean air is a basic human right and the Air District's mission is to reduce air pollution for all Bay Area residents. This is especially important in communities of color that have experienced decades of environmental racism and are exposed to higher levels of pollution than other groups.

4. How has the world of air quality management changed since the emergence of new air monitoring technology?

It really has made collecting air quality data easier, which empowers people to understand the air quality in their neighborhoods and advocate for changes.

5. How is air pollution not only an environmental problem but also a social/equality issue?

Through policies like redlining, communities of color live in close proximity to more sources of air pollution than other groups. These communities experience disproportionate levels of exposure to poor air quality and as an agency need to work toward reducing air quality in the Bay Area in an equitable way - meaning we should be working to reduce air pollution in the worst areas first.

6. How can people get involved with improving air pollution and advocating for a cleaner world?

Engaging with all levels of government and advocating for clean air or working with community-based organizations to raise awareness about air quality and how to get local improvements are a few examples.

7. What advice would you give to a young person interested in environmental protection and air quality work?

Learn about air quality in your area and connect with like-minded people that are passionate about environmental protection, whether that be a group of friends or a local organization.

8. Are there any projects you are working on right now?

I am working on quite a few different projects, but right now I am working on a program called the Bay Air Center that provides technical support on air monitoring and air quality to local community groups that are interested in collecting data with air sensors or advocating for cleaner air in their community.

Learn More:

• https://www.baaqmd.gov/ 

• https://marinscienceseminar.com/understanding-air-quality-data-in-the-bay-area/ 

• https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2022/outer-sunset-air-quality/

Interview with Chemical Engineer Eric Stevenson of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District

by Shoshana Harlem, Terra Linda High School

Eric Stevenson is a chemical engineer who works with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. He helps figure out air quality issues such as how to reduce greenhouse gases. To find out more about his work, we interviewed him.

1. How did you first become interested in being a chemical engineer in the environmental field?

 I was always interested in the environment, even as a child.  As I progressed through school, I had an aptitude for math and chemistry, so chemical engineering seemed the logic choice.

2. What air quality issues are you currently working on? 

Right now, we are working on a rule to reduce risk from air pollutants at facilities throughout the Bay Area to the lowest levels achievable.  In addition, we are also working on a way to regulate and reduce greenhouse gases, first from refineries and then from other high GHG emitting facilities. 

3. How do you think the new presidential administration will impact your organization?

 Luckily, while we interact with EPA on a large number of issues, we do not receive much funding from them and we also have stricter regulations than them.  While I anticipate that the next four years will be difficult, the fact that we're in California should help us weather the potential issues with EPA.

4. What does a typical work day look like for you? Also, what is the best and worst part of your job? 

I go to a lot of meetings and work with my staff to get them what they need to get their jobs done.  I do my best to anticipate issues and problems and plan for successful outcomes.  The people I work with are the best part of the job, as they are dedicated public servants, doing their best to protect the health of Bay Area residents.  The worst part of the job is difficult to define, but it's hard trying to anticipate all of the issues that might come up, and that can make the job more difficult.

5. What advice do you have to people that want to be a chemical engineer in the environmental field? 

 Learn to work with data and listen to what the data are telling you.  Develop your ability for critical thought.

Want to hear more about Eric Stevenson and his job? Come join us on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Terra Linda High School from 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM in Room 207!

Fresh Air February!

Join us this February for two great talks on the importance of fresh air. Here is a teaser vid by Marin Science Seminar intern and Terra Linda High School sophomore, Camden Pettijohn. Join us and learn!

Fresh Air February from Marin Science Seminar on Vimeo.

F R E S H   A I R   F E B R U A R Y

Get the Flyer Here

10: "Sitting by a Cozy Fire – Wood burning, Air Quality & Your Health" with Eric Stevenson of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District

24: "What's Getting into Your Lungs?: The Effects of Smoke, Ozone, Allergens & More" with Mehrdad Arjomandi of UCSF and the VAMC SF

E-Cigarettes: A Subtle Danger?

By Zack Griggy, San Marin HS

          E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes, are marketed as a healthier and safer cigarette. But is it really? Multiple organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have found that they are not at all safer that traditional cigarettes.

Newer e-cigarettes sometimes don't resemble
traditional cigarettes at all.

          A traditional cigarette burns the leaves from the tobacco plant. Tobacco is a plant that naturally contains nicotine, the main addictive agent in cigarettes. Nicotine is also used as a strong insecticide and is so strong that a drop of pure nicotine can kill a person. When tobacco is burned, nicotine is released in the smoke. The smoker can then inhale the smoke and experience a high feeling, which is caused by excess levels of dopamine from the nicotine. In addition to

tobacco,cigarettes can also contain thousands of toxic chemicals, the purpose of which could be anything from making cigarettes combustible to enhancing the addictive effects of the nicotine.

          An e-cigarette, on the other hand, vaporizes liquid nicotine, and releases vapor. The process of smoking e-cigarettes was dubbed "vaping" because of this process. The e-cigarette is composed of a cartridge that contains e-liquid, an atomizer that heats the e-liquid, a battery, a sensor that determines when someone is taking a drag and activates the atomizer, and, sometimes, a light that simulates smoking. When a person decides to take a puff of the vapor, the sensor detects this and activates the light and atomizer. The atomizer, once activated, vaporizes the e-liquid and then releases the vapor so it can be inhaled.

E-cigarettes are composed of five parts. The orange section is
composed of the sensor and cartridge. The metallic silver section is the
atomizer. The white section is the battery and light.

          E-cigarettes are widely marketed as a safer way to get high off of nicotine, but the FDA has found that contrary to the marketing, e-cigarettes are not safe. E-cigarettes are not yet regulated by the FDA. This means that e-cigarette manufacturers do not have to list any or all of the nefarious substances found in the e-liquid. So, when someone "vapes," they inhale all sorts of unknown chemicals. With
e-cigarettes, one might be inhaling a few toxic chemicals or a few thousand. However, e-cigarettes are slightly healthier than traditional cigarettes, mainly because e-cigarettes do not result in as much smoke as traditional cigarettes.
          To make matters worse, e-cigarette use is on the rise. E-cigarettes were invented in 2003, but has only recently gained popularity. Now, it is the most commonly used tobacco product in US high schools, and from 2013 to 2014, e-cigarette use among high school students tripled from 660,000 students to over 2 million students. E-cigarette use is clearly a growing problem. Marketing, mostly the TV marketing, was attributed to this recent spike in e-cigarette usage.
          E-cigarettes in spite of their marketing, are not safe products. E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a poisonous chemical, and all sorts of other unknown toxins. Because of marketing, e-cigarette use is increasing. E-cigarettes are slightly healthier than traditional cigarette because there is not nearly as much smoke produced.
       
Sources
1.http://healthliteracy.worlded.org/docs/tobacco/Unit4/1whats_in.html
2.http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco/what-are-medical-consequences-tobacco-use
3.http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/vaping-101-how-do-e-cigarettes-work-n88786
4.http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/5-facts-about-e-cigarettes-fda-no-its-not-ban-n88746
5.http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0416-e-cigarette-use.html

To learn more about e-cigarettes and the risks attributed to them and other important health issues, be sure to join us Wednesday, October 7th, to hear Julie Pettijohn MPH of the California Department of Public Health discuss these important topics at Terra Linda High School, 320 Nova Albion Way, in Room 207