Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
New map tracks real-time air quality in Pacific Palisades after the fires
A new map tracks air quality in and around Pacific Palisades in real time.
(
Courtesy of CAP.LA
)
Health remains a top concern for those living near the burn scars of the Los Angeles wildfires that erupted in January. Now, a new map allows residents to check air quality in the Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities in real-time.
The online dashboard put out by the Community Action Project tracks 20 air quality monitors from Topanga Canyon to Santa Monica. The sensors identify the concentration of particulates in the air and rate the surrounding air quality accordingly. They identify PM2.5 — microscopic particles that can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream — and PM10, slightly larger particulates that can also cause irritation and health issues.
The air quality project was led by a team at UCLA. The lead researcher, UCLA professor Yifang Zhu, said the air quality sensors differ from most weather apps because they monitor for the larger PM10 particles. She said that tracking this type of air pollution will be important throughout the rebuilding process, since construction could kick up coarse dust and contaminants.
-
Your game plan for what happens next. LAist will be there every step of the way. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come four months after people submit a claim. Accepting the money would mean foregoing a lawsuit. -
911 recordings obtained by LAist shed light on why and how emergency planning continues to leave people with disabilities behind.
They also provide more localized and regularly updated air quality — every 5 to 10 minutes.
As of Monday afternoon, most sensors were reporting good to moderate air quality. One in the Palisades marked unhealthy levels of PM10 particles for a time, and then turned back to green.
Residents can use the maps to track local air quality during clean-up and construction. If the sensors indicate the air is unhealthy, Zhu suggested avoiding the area or closing windows. She also recommended wearing a fitted N-95 mask.
Sponsored message
Zhu said she hoped the dashboard could help residents make informed decisions and combat fears about their health.
"Information is always helpful," Zhu told LAist. "I think oftentimes the anxiety comes from not knowing what's going on, but now the data dashboard provides that information."
People can sign up for email alerts for individual air sensors here.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
