We’ve had the pleasure of working with Bill Collinge over the years as we developed our data tools for the Low Cost Monitoring Project. Bill has recently joined the ROCIS team as an air quality analyst. In the short time he’s been with us, he’s already helped us improve our system for providing feedback for LCMP participants, giving folks in the program deeper insight into what’s going on with the air in their home.
We had a chance to talk with Bill about his background, his interest in air quality, and his recent experience as a participant in the Low Cost Monitoring Project.
ROCIS: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
BILL COLLINGE: After starting a career as a civil engineer, I went back to graduate school in 2009 and focused on environmental impact assessment, including indoor air quality.
R: Why does air quality matter to you?
BC: I’ve always been interested in environmental issues, and as a resident of Southwest PA, have seen firsthand the impact air (and water) quality make on our health.
R: What drew you to working with ROCIS?
BC: I love the idea of working with people on an individual level to provide more information about their air quality and how they can make improvements that may have a positive impact on their health.
R: You just participated in a Low Cost Monitoring Project cohort (Cohort 60), which means that you have been monitoring the air in your home and trying out different air quality solutions. What did you learn through this process?
BC: Since I’ve been involved in ROCIS in the past and from my graduate school studies, I’ve known what a difference air filtration makes in particle levels, but this is my first time observing it in action in my own space—the difference is amazing!
R: Have you changed anything in your home since participating in the LCMP?
BC: I installed do-it-yourself fan filters to cut down on particle levels and an exhaust fan in the bathroom window to increase ventilation while at the same time keeping particle levels low.
Learn More:
Want to build your own DIY fan filter?
Here’s how
Hear from LCMP participants about how they improved their indoor air quality.
Watch the Clean Air Chronicles
R: What would you say to people who are considering joining a cohort?
BC: Please join up—you will learn a ton about your indoor air quality!
R: What’s one of your favorite air quality resources that you wish everyone knew about?
BC: Starting with the basics—I’d love for everyone to get to know the EPA’s AirNow website, since that is directly tied to the news stories we see about regional air pollution.
Read Bill’s bio on our Meet the Team page.