Team Members
- Jonathan London, PhD, MCP, BA
- Nayamin Martinez, MPH
- Ricardo Cisneros
Research Project Description
This project is an action and policy study of the implementation of community-based air quality monitoring and management in disadvantaged communities in California. This is a new state initiative launched through Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617). The project will answer the question of "how has the implementation of AB 617 resulted in actions with the strong prospects of improving environmental health equity in disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley?" This question is critical because AB 617 is one of the state's primary policies to address disparities in air quality through an unprecedented community-engaged process. After an intensive 18-month development process, two communities in California's San Joaquin Valley have produced Community Emissions Reduction Strategies with an ambitious range of policies and practices to improve air quality. These plans involve new protection methods, engage new partners, and localize air quality management from a state and regional scale to a local level. By assessing the environmental and health impacts of the implementation process, this research will help inform strategies to improve the well-being of the most disadvantaged communities in California.
The policy analysis component of the project will track the implementation of the Community Emissions Reduction Strategies by local and regional governments. It will also assess the on-going commitments to community engagement and environmental justice throughout the implementation process.The air quality component will create an exposure assessment of Ozone and Particulate Matter in the case study communities of Fresno and Shafter. This will examine the emissions trends and correlate these to air pollution exposures to assess whether the emissions reduction strategies are in fact lowering air pollution indicators. In addition, the project will conduct a resident health survey to measure changes in health conditions such as asthma.
Team Members
Jonathan London, PhD, MCP, BA
Jonathan London has 30 years of experience working on environmental justice and participatory research with rural communities. He holds a BA in Environmental Studies, a Masters in City and Regional Planning, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Social Science. His work focuses on environmental justice and health equity. Jonathan co-founded Youth in Focus that trained youth in participatory action research. He is evaluating the implementation of community-based air quality monitoring and management in div...
Nayamin Martinez, MPH
Nayamin Martinez directs the Central California Environmental Justice Network. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Health and Sociology. Ms. Martinez worked for the Madera County Public Health Department as a Health Education Coordinator and was the Health Projects Coordinator for the Binational Center for the Development of the Oaxacan Indigenous Communities. Ms. Martinez has vast experience working with immigrants and residents of disadvantaged communities on health equity.
Ricardo Cisneros
Ricardo Cisneros is an Associate Professor of Environmental Health and focuses on exposure assessment and environmental epidemiology. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Health/ Industrial Hygiene, a MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Systems. His research focuses on air quality issues in the Central Valley and surrounding area and the impacts on respiratory health. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Environmental Health, Air Quality and Health, ...
