Clearing the Air in the Historic West End

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There were blocks of homes all the way across before the highway cut open the neighborhoods.

Which brings us to today. Many of the air pollutants from traffic and industrial activity are known to be severely detrimental to human health. For example, particle pollution and ground-level ozone can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and asthma. These are three of the top five leading causes of death in North Carolina.

After decades of breathing higher levels of these air toxins, residents of the Historic West End see significantly worse health outcomes than residents of Dilworth / Myers Park. The neighborhood has been designated a health priority area by the city of Charlotte.

Of course, Charlotte isn’t the only place with environmental justice issues. That’s why we are expanding our AirKeepers network throughout North Carolina. Together with our dedicated citizen scientists, we are building the first statewide network of hyperlocal air pollution monitors in the country.

By gathering scientifically-relevant data and empowering communities to protect their health and advocate for change, we hope to ensure that everyone in North Carolina has access to clean, healthy air.