Protecting Children's Health: Near-Roadway Pollution and Playground Planning

When planning safe and healthy spaces for children, it’s crucial to consider environmental factors such as air pollution. Near-roadway pollution, commonly found near busy roads and highways, can have adverse effects on children's health.

Children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution, especially in playground settings near roadways. Their developing respiratory systems, elevated breathing rates, and increased physical activity render them more vulnerable. Fine particulate matter (PM), also known as fine particles, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are two of the many pollutants that come from the exhaust and brake systems of automobiles as well as the breakdown of tires and road surfaces. Exposure to these pollutants can result in respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, allergies, and even potentially harmful effects on the nervous system. Long-term exposure may also increase the risk of lung cancer. Recognizing these risks, it is crucial to take proactive steps to measure and, when necessary, mitigate near-roadway pollution and protect children’s health.

Lessons from the Waterfront Park West Expansion

One example of proactive action to prevent children’s exposure to such pollution is the expansion of Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville.

The proposed location of a playground near the elevated highway I-64 raised concerns from the children and families that would use the park. Wanting to ensure children’s safety, the Waterfront Park and the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute at the University of Louisville approached Louisville Metro’s Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to collaborate on the installation of a research-grade air sensor at the playground site to uncover potential environmental air pollution hazards. APCD provided the equipment and technical expertise to calibrate and site the sensor to monitor the air around the proposed playground site.

Determine Air Quality

To evaluate the air quality at the proposed playground, the team placed an air sensor at the site, which had been calibrated during a period of co-location at APCD’s Durrent Lane site, nearby regulatory air monitoring station. This sensor measured the air quality over a period of six weeks, providing valuable data regarding pollution levels. The results indicated that the air quality at the playground location is within the safe National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) thresholds defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The figure below illustrates the results of this air monitoring. The Waterfront Park expansion area had a 9.07 percent lower daily average of PM2.5, which is one of the smallest inhalable particle pollutants, than APCD's Durrett Lane site. It was chosen for sensor calibration and site comparison due to similar particulate species and morphology. Additionally, Durrett is the area's design value site, (i.e., the monitoring site with the highest readings for a particular pollutant) and currently meets the EPA’s 24-Hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 set at 35 µg/m3.

Ensure Future Mitigation

In addition to assessing air quality for current safety, the plans for the Waterfront Park west expansion also include significant revegetation of the virtually barren site, which will further improve air quality in the playground and the surrounding community. Waterfront Park has committed to engage the Envirome Institute and APCD in the landscape design process for the playground, and Waterfront Park and APCD plan to continue periodic air quality monitoring once the playground is constructed and landscaping is installed to measure the air quality impacts of the addition of vegetation and structures.

Waterfront Park's commitment to green buffers and air quality remediation is commendable. This work directly aligns with the broader Green Heart Project, a study from the Envirome Institute that is seeking to research and quantify the link between nature and human health. Implementing green infrastructure, like vegetation barriers and green spaces, can help mitigate the impact of near-roadway pollution. This green infrastructure filters pollutants and reduces their concentrations, creating a healthier environment for children to play and thrive.

Safeguarding children's health requires careful consideration of potential hazards in all areas of their lives, including in their homes, school, and recreation spaces. This case study highlights the importance of proactive air monitoring and how it can uncover potential risks and informing decision-making. By addressing concerns and collaborating with the APCD, the Envirome Institute played a crucial role in influencing the decision to measure air quality at the proposed playground site, ensuring the safety of children from near-roadway pollution.

It also models an example for other potential recreation areas, demonstrating that air monitoring can provide valuable information about proposed sites and drive proactive measures to mitigate risks. By making smarter decisions and working together to prioritize the health of all neighbors and prevent unnecessary childhood pollution exposure, cities can build healthier environments and futures.