North Central San Mateo, located in the heart of San Mateo within the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, is a vibrant, predominantly Latino neighborhood with a population of just over 8,100. Many residents are children or working-age adults, and a large share of households are linguistically isolated, with Spanish being the primary language for most. North Central San Mateo experiences elevated air pollution from diesel traffic, hazardous waste, and lead exposure, resulting in high rates of asthma and other health concerns. 

The district has teamed up with Aclima and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to launch a community air monitoring project guiding 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 April of 2025, residents and local stakeholders met to discuss these pressing air quality issues and work toward a healthier, more equitable community.