THRIVEair: A community-based air monitoring network design in a pollution-burdened Philadelphia neighborhood to advance environmental justice

In 2019, an explosion at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery, one of the largest urban oil refineries in the U.S., led to its shuttering and transition into redevelopment. Local fenceline communities, previously impacted by refinery operations, expressed concern about air toxics, particularly benzene, released during the decommissioning process. To monitor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, in fenceline communities, we created THRIVEair, a partnership between environmental justice organization Philly Thrive and Drexel University scientists. Key goals of the project included community-responsive air monitoring, data democratization, and timely report-back of results.

Methods

Through an action-reflection-action approach, we co-designed a one-year VOC monitoring campaign from June 2023-June 2024, and data dissemination products, including fact sheets, Teach-Ins, and a public website. We monitored 37 VOCs using one-week integrated samples collected using passive thermal desorption tubes. Nine stationary sites were monitored weekly, and 11 additional sites were monitored on a rotating basis for two one-week sessions in summer and winter.

Results

On average, we found that benzene concentrations were relatively low over the one-year monitoring period (mean for stationary sites: 1.32 µg/m ³ , range = 0.30 – 9.04 µg/m ³ ), though spatial and temporal variability were evident.

Conclusion

Through the air monitoring campaign design and implementation process, THRIVEair supported Philly Thrive’s goal of establishing an air monitoring network in neighborhoods impacted by the former refinery. By providing publicly available air quality data, THRIVEair results can be leveraged in Philly Thrive’s advocacy efforts.