Air Monitoring Through Technology & Nature

Greenpoint and the surrounding areas around Newtown Creek were the epicenter of manufacturing in the 1800s to 1900s at a time when New York City was the manufacturing capital of the world. Our walking tour will cover the history of the neighborhood and highlight ongoing sources of air pollution. Attendees will be introduced to the AirBeam and AirCasting platform and check out air monitors from the library. We will experience real-time air quality monitoring as we move between residential, industrial, and closer to and away from major thoroughfares.

Along the way, we will examine cement, rocks, soils, and trees for LICHENS, composite organisms of fungi and cyanobacteria or algae. These natural sensors can offer insights into air quality, enhancing our understanding of environmental health.