– Some neighbors of the Suncor Energy Plant are now able to see real-time information about the quality of the air, with monitors installed right outside their homes.
Cristina Ruiz is a “promotora” with Cultivando, the community group that paid for the air monitors via a multimillion-dollar settlement with CDPHE, which Suncor provided after repeated air pollution violations. Ruiz is trained to educate other community members about the monitors, in order to promote community health and advocacy.
Cultivando Director of Environmental Justice Aracely Navarro says the monitors have been a game-changer for the community around the oil refinery. Dr. Michael Lumpkin is a toxicologist and consultant for Suncor. He said since their monitoring commenced nine months ago, he’s not seen the presence of chemical compounds in the air for long enough to be a risk to public health.