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Air Quality

Air quality refers to the concentration of air pollutants and the hazards they pose to human health. Alhambra falls into the South Coast air basin and air quality is monitored by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The goals, targets, strategies and actions in this sector focus on ozone, PM2.5, and diesel particulate matter.

A community’s potential exposure to pollutants and adverse environmental conditions is measured using Pollution Burden Percentile, compared to the rest of the County. The average pollution burden percentile for LA County is 50.0, indicating that, on average, areas within the county have a moderate exposure level. In the city of Alhambra, the pollution burden percentile is 60.8, meaning this area measures greater for potential exposure to pollutants and adverse environmental conditions (USC Lusk 2021).

Air Quality Goal (AQ): Reducing local pollution sources through transportation improvements, industrial standards, and monitoring programs.

Key Achievements

  • Purple Air Sensor Network: 56 community-owned air quality monitors installed citywide providing real-time, hyperlocal air quality data.
  • Health Partnerships: Collaboration with local health organizations for emergency response planning during high-pollution events.
  • USC-APIFM Water Equity Partnership: Community-based research collaboration with USC and Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement (APIFM) providing water quality education and environmental health resources to residents, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Community Spotlight: Purple Air Sensor Network — Community-Powered Air Monitoring

Alhambra’s Purple Air Sensor Community Network empowers residents to monitor air quality in their own neighborhoods. With 56 sensors installed as of 2022 and plans for 50 more by 2030, this growing network provides real-time, hyperlocal data helping residents make informed decisions about outdoor activities, especially during high pollution days when Alhambra ranks in the 70th percentile statewide for ozone. Strategically placed in higher-density areas and near greening projects, the sensors particularly protect vulnerable residents, including 18% of the population over 65, children, and those with respiratory conditions. This resident-driven initiative creates one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most comprehensive community air monitoring networks, demonstrating how technology can democratize environmental monitoring.

Goals

  • AQ-S1 Reduce local contributions to air pollution and increase monitoring and awareness of pollution sources.

    Target AQ-T1

    Update the community-wide greenhouse gas inventory every 4 years to measure progress towards reductions; host annual community workshops on air quality and pollution measures; and increase the number of community purple air sensors by 50 by 2030.

    Baseline AQ-B1

    436,480 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) in 2022; 56 air sensors in 2022.

    Actions

    • AQ-1a Maintain an updated communitywide GHG inventory to monitor activity data, emissions reductions over time, and progress in alignment with state goals.

    • AQ-1b Establish cooperative air quality monitoring programs between agencies like Air Quality Management District (AQMD), California Air Resources Board (CARB) and local health organizations to triangulate air quality data. Organize community workshops and educational programs in collaboration with local health organizations to discuss air quality issues and health implications.

    • AQ-1c Encourage residents and businesses to install local air quality sensors (Purple Air) to expand the network for monitoring and tracking of air quality in the community. Prioritize new sensors in higher-density neighborhoods and in places where greening and other emission reduction strategies are targeted.

    • AQ-1d Strengthen or adopt strict clean construction policies like diesel vehicle bans, dust control, and emissions monitoring to minimize pollution from city projects.

    • AQ-1e Assess neighborhoods for establishing a pilot program for low or zero-emission zones that restrict polluting vehicles from entering, to reduce exposure to transportation pollution. Conduct GIS mapping to assess neighborhoods, especially those in higher-density areas or neighborhoods with numerous sensitive receptors, such as schools and senior centers. Identify high-emitting vehicles through the pilot program.

  • AQ-S2 Support efforts to mitigate the impact of air pollution on community health.

    Target AQ-T2

    Host an annual health event in partnership with health providers, focusing on health risks, impacts, and resources for mitigating air pollution.

    Baseline AQ-B2

    N/A.

    Actions

    • AQ-2a Evaluate options to improve near-road air quality, prioritizing areas with greatest particulate matter pollution (PM2.5 and diesel PM) and near vulnerable communities and sensitive sites (senior centers, schools, daycares, etc.). Survey and install vegetated buffers along major roads.

    • AQ-2b Develop a program or partner with existing programs to distribute home air filters for households in disadvantaged communities, and areas with higher PM pollution.

    • AQ-2c Identify City facilities in need of retrofits for air filters and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.

    • AQ-2d Connect residents to programs for home audits, for providing air filtration systems.

    • AQ-2e Coordinate with local health organizations to develop emergency response plans for high-pollution events, ensuring the public receives timely advisories and health information. Provide educational resources and workshops with health partners, focused on health risks and impacts related to air pollution. Host health fairs, workshops, and informational booths with health providers, to distribute information on emergency resources, masks, and air filters for residences.

    • AQ-2f Increase community and industries' awareness of and engagement with community GHG emissions and mitigation strategies, capitalizing on existing communication channels and programs such as Environmental Sustainability Commission and the annual EcoFair.

Source

Sustainable Alhambra (Public Draft, March 2026), Chapter 3, pp. 3-39 to 3-43

Open the full Sustainability Plan Draft (PDF) →

Last updated 2026-04-22

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