Greater Oakland, located in Alameda County within the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, is a mosaic of diverse neighborhoods ranging from the flatlands to the hills. Stark health disparities exist between the hills and flatlands, where residents face higher rates of asthma and cardiovascular disease, largely due to pollution from heavy freeway traffic, diesel trucks serving the Port of Oakland, and industrial sources. Flatland neighborhoods near Interstate 880 experience some of the region’s highest concentrations of particulate matter, contributing to elevated health risks and lower life expectancy compared to the hills.

The district has teamed up with Aclima and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to launch a community air monitoring project to guide future actions as a part of SMMI. Using Aclima’s advanced sensors, the project collects detailed, block-by-block data on air quality throughout the community. This provides residents with clear information about local pollution and helps guide actions to improve air quality, focusing on the areas and people most affected.

In March of 2025, Oakland residents and stakeholders met to discuss these pressing air quality concerns and explore solutions for healthier, more equitable neighborhoods.