New local air pollution study started by EPA & local public health

CMAPS, the Cleveland Multiple Air Pollutant Study, is a new study by the U.S. and Ohio Environmental Protection Association established to study air pollutants in Cleveland metropolitan area.

Public domain image courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife agency

The US and Ohio Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA), along with the Division of Air Quality of the Cleveland Department of Public Health and the Akron Regional Air Quality Management district are involved in a new study of air pollutants in the Cleveland metropolitan area.

A description of the study can be found here at this link.

In the summer of 2009, these agencies began to sample and track levels of air pollution. Sampling continued in July 2009, February 2010 and will continue into 2011. Their intention is to generate models that will help predict which changes in pollution are associated with changes in health in the immediate and distant areas.

Point sources such as industries and inductrial areas, high traffic clusters and highways will be considered. The hope is to develop effective strategies to lower pollutants and adverse health effects.