PNNL

Abstract

In west Eugene (Oregon), community research indicates residents are disproportionately exposed to industrial air pollution and exhibit increased asthma incidence. In Carroll County (Ohio), recent increases in unconventional natural gas drilling sparked air quality concerns. These community concerns led to the development of a mobile device to measure personal chemical exposure, location, and respiratory function. Working directly with these environmental justice (EJ) communities, a mobile device (MD) prototype was developed to (1) meet the needs of the community and; (2) evaluate the feasibility of using the MD in EJ communities. The prototype was evaluated in 3 community focus groups (n= 25) to obtain feedback on the prototype and feasibility study design to evaluate the efficacy of the MD to address community concerns. Focus groups were recorded and qualitatively analyzed with discreet feedback tabulated for MD refinement. The MD prototype was improved by community feedback resulting in 8 alterations/additions to software and instructional materials. Overall, focus group participants were supportive of the MD and believed it would be a useful environmental health tool. The use of focus groups ensured that community members were engaged in the research design and development of a novel environmental health tool. We found that community-based research strategies resulted in a refined device as well as relevant research questions, specific to the EJ community needs and concerns.