Monitoring Air Quality for a Superior Future

Acerca de la Comunidad 

Superior, WI is in Douglas County; the city borders Lake Superior to the east and is known to experience a lake weather effect. The lake effect  plays a significant role in shaping the local weather, and can result in conditions that differ dramatically from those in nearby areas just a few miles away. The lake effect can lead to increased fog, temperature shifts, and unique wind patterns. The city has a population of ~27,000 individuals and is predominantly white. Most individuals hold a high-school diploma or higher. Superior has an active city council.

Within Superior, the fossil fuel industry has a strong presence and is a major source of employment. Within city limits, there is an oil refinery, a coal power plant, a limestone processing plant, and a taconite processing facility, among other industries. There are up to four PurpleAir monitors in Superior. According to PurpleAir the historical data of 3 days should be free and publicly available via their webportal. However, these monitors only record small Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and do not monitor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ozone, or  larger PM (PM 10). The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has used monitors located in Duluth, MN to issue air permits in the past  and determine if air quality is within national standards. As these monitors are upwind and at a slightly higher elevation, they are likely not representative of the local air quality.

The community is concerned about the local air quality and potential short- and long-term negative health outcomes. After hearing about a successful TEX project in Beloit, WI, the community decided to apply with the goal to place local air quality monitors which allow for continuous monitoring of PM 2.5 and VOCs in areas of impact.

The community has been working to address air quality concerns for over a year. A small network of individuals was established to record information about odors occurring, specific to the oil refinery and prevailing wind direction The city of Superior has acquired five PurpleAir monitors; two are currently operating at local fire department stations. However, these monitors may not be ideally placed to quantify the air quality of the community. The community has been in communication with the EPA and the WI DNR. The WI DNR has told the community that there is a lack of funding for a regulatory air monitor in Superior, despite having the only oil refinery in the state. The EPA recommendations are that air monitoring near refineries should be downwind and in residential areas of concern for VOCs and PM 2.5. The nearest PM2.5 regulatory air monitor is upwind of our Superior industry; this contradicts what the EPA recommends. There is no real time VOC air monitoring available.

Sobre el proyecto 

This project aims to address local air quality concerns in Superior, WI. The first step is to measure local air quality levels. This will be accomplished by setting up air quality monitors in several locations within city limits. The number and location of these monitors will be informed by the project expert(s). The monitors will allow for continuous recording of VOCs, CO, Nitrogen Dioxide NO2, Ozone, PM 2.5, and PM 10. Ideally, this information will be freely and publicly available. 

This project also seeks to propose a plan/policy to the city council, based on guidance from the project expert, requiring air quality to be considered in future decisions when debating industry expansions. Additionally, the project intends to educate the broader community about the potential hazards of poor-to-moderate  air quality and what actions can be taken to remain healthy. This may include the creation and distribution of flyers and other educational materials, as well as public discussions at city council meetings. Ideally this information will be able to provide location specific information.

This project also intends to identify potential negative impacts of poor air quality in the community. Hopefully, a project expert will be able to provide insight into what these impacts may be, the best way to quantify their occurrence in the community, and how to best educate the local public about them.

As previously stated, a small network of individuals has been established to record information about odors occurring in Superior. This group hopes to create a more formal/streamlined way to continue this process and expand anonymous participation. 

Calendario e hitos

The project will take 6-12 months to complete and will include the following key milestones:

• Contact prior Thriving Earth Exchange projects on air quality to learn about their methodology and tips for success
• Recruit experts in air quality and human health effects
• Create standard operating procedure for air quality monitoring
• Collect and process data on air quality and health condition occurrences
• Share results and recommendations with community, including city council and elected officials as well as broader public by holding community meetings, writing a press release, and publishing a Thriving Earth Exchange blog post or white paper

Líderes comunitarios

Patty Meysman-Lier lives in Superior, Wisconsin with her husband and they have two grown daughters. Patty worked for 35 plus years as a RN and retired in 2023. Patty believes the community needs to better understand the cumulative health implications of living near two fossil fuel industries. There is an oil refinery in the city and now there is a proposal to build a 625 MW gas plant near the refinery.

Pam Savoy is a life-long resident of Superior, WI her husband and her raised their two sons here and are currently enjoying retirement. She became a member of “Neighbors Against NTEC” which was formed by a group of citizens in 2024 to protest the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) 625 megawatt natural gas power plant. Superior is home to an oil refinery as well as other industry, which causes concern about air quality and the health effects of adding more fossil fuel industry to our small community. Pam learned that the nearest EPA regulatory air monitor is approximately 5.5 miles west of Superior in Duluth MN, and the prevailing westerly winds carry pollutants from our industry away from that monitor. Her involvement with “Neighbors Against NTEC” has prompted her to become an advocate for obtaining an EPA regulatory air monitor that can accurately represent the current PM2.5 particulate matter exposure to the residents of the community.

Becario científico comunitario

Carly Frank is currently a PhD candidate in the interdisciplinary Ecological Science and Engineering program and the Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science Department at Purdue University. She received her MSc from the University of Maine in Quaternary and Climate Studies. In addition to her MSc, Carly earned graduate certificates in One Health and Interdisciplinary Climate Science.

Her research uses qualitative and quantitative methods to develop a multidisciplinary approach to addressing heat stress and climate justice in low resource areas. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, reading science fiction novels and learning to throw pottery.

Función científica

Atmospheric scientist/air quality expert – The project seeks assistance in understanding how to best measure local air quality. This will primarily include aid in determining where to place air quality monitors, what type of monitors to use, and how frequently measurements should be taken. Ideally this expert will also be able to aid in data analysis. We may ask this expert for assistance in informing what should be included in educational material (what are dangerous levels, etc.).

Health scientist/air quality/health expert – The project seeks an expert in how poor, or long term moderate, air quality may impact human health. This will include general knowledge as well as how specific air quality levels found in Superior may be related to local incidence of COPD and lung cancer. We may ask this expert for assistance in informing what should be included in educational material.

Competencias y cualificaciones deseadas:

All experts will need the following:

• Experiencia y/o deseo de participar en la educación, divulgación y compromiso de la comunidad.
• Voluntad de vincular la ciencia a los problemas locales
• Experience with data analysis

The Atmospheric scientist/air quality expert should have:

• Experience with implementing air quality monitors
• Experience with common compounds measured by air quality monitors 

The Health scientist/air quality/health expert should have:

• Experience with negative human health impacts linked to air quality

Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with the community to help define a project with concrete local impact to which they can contribute as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. This work can also position the scientists and communities to seek additional funding, together, for the next stage. Unsure if you’re the right fit for this project? Reach out to us via email at [email protected] to learn more. 

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