SCSers Jose Landeros and Sergio Valenzuela presented at the US EPA’s National Ambient Air Monitoring Conference (NAAMC) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was an excellent adventure! These two professionals had the opportunity to meet project collaborators and associates in person since the COVID cancellations over the last two years prevented in-person conferences.
We’re proud of our SCSers and the opportunities for their participation and engagement at major conferences. Jose and Sergio were staying busy developing new relationships with private, local, and government entities, scientists, and vendors while catching up with friends and clients. Plus, they got to do a little sightseeing.
Jose’s presentation, The Evolution of Air Monitoring in a Border City, told the story of his 25-year involvement with ambient air monitoring projects in his hometown of Mexicali, Baja, US-Mexico. His growth, experience, and knowledge have run parallel with the evolution of technologies and strategies used in the region. Jose’s presentation highlighted overcoming the difficulties of a binational project and kept the audience laughing in nostalgia as he recalled working with the clunky equipment.
Sergio’s presentation, Quantifying Salton Sea’s Harmful PM During High Wind Events, brought attention to the ongoing nuanced air quality issues surrounding the Salton Sea and neighboring counties, once a vacation spot for Hollywood stars. The presentation details the planning, technology, and efforts required to develop and operate an air monitoring network in this complicated and unstable California region. A native of the Salton Sea region, Sergio kept the audience intrigued as he expressed the importance and complications of monitoring and dust suppression in desert communities, along with advancing the project’s capabilities by incorporating new technologies.
When asked what they enjoyed the most about the Mid-Atlantic, they said they were amazed at how green and leafy the east coast is in comparison to the southwest. They both also enjoyed seeing the region’s vast blue rivers. Jose and Sergio’s presentations will be available from the EPA soon; SCSers are always ready to take your calls and questions!
