In partnership with the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO), the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and Omega Air NC, Sustainable Sandhills monitors air quality in our region; collects and reports data; advises municipal planning administrators on best management practices that improve air quality; facilitates an air quality education program; and manages a supplementary air sensor project.

WHY IS AIR QUALITY IMPORTANT?
Air quality impacts our health – especially the health of people who have respiratory illnesses such as asthma, allergies and emphysema. Air quality can also affect vulnerable populations including children and the elderly.

At one point, the Sandhills as a region did not meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The region was “out of attainment.” But, through various initiatives by Sustainable Sandhills and our many partners at local, state and federal levels, the Sandhills is in attainment and now enjoys generally healthy air quality — and we want this trend to continue well into the future.

By staying “air aware,” you can protect your health and breathe easy.

WHAT CAN IMPACT AIR QUALITY?
A lot of factors can impact air quality. Carbon emissions, industrial pollutants and fires can all contribute to degraded air quality. Even the weather and variables such as pollen levels can impact air quality, too.

HOW IS AIR QUALITY MEASURED?
In simple terms, the Air Quality Index is calculated on a scale that measures five key pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 (microscopic particulates such as exhaust, smoke and industrial emissions) and PM 10 (coarse solid or liquid particles such as dust, pollen and salt), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. The AQI assigns a color and a number to air quality. The lower the number, the better the air quality.

WHAT’S THE AIR QUALITY TODAY IN MY ZIP CODE?

KNOW THE CODE:THE AIR QUALITY INDEX

11 SIMPLE STEPS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY

CARBON BANKS

Sustainable Sandhills manages three carbon banks at Cumberland County Schools facilities. These living learning laboratories have sequestered 976 tons of carbon dioxide – and counting!

Our carbon bank program was a case study in the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.

LEARN MORE HERE

SANDHILLS C.L.E.A.R. PROGRAM

The Sandhills Community-Level Environmental Air Review (C.L.E.A.R.) Program is our new program in partnership with NC DHHS and Omega Air NC.

Currently, there are only three regulatory air sensors for the entire 11 county Sandhills region. We’re installing additional sensors throughout the area to create a more comprehensive, complete and accurate picture of air quality in our communities; to develop improved action plans for air quality alert days; to protect public health and enhance awareness of air quality’s impacts on health; and to inform legislation at local and state levels.

We have installed our first three sensors in Bladen, Cumberland and Hoke Counties, and we’re already crunching the numbers!
LEARN MORE HERE.

If you’re interested in hosting a sensor in your community, CONTACT US or complete the sensor host site interest form HERE.

OUR AIR QUALITY PARTNERS