View this email in your browser Curious about what’s in your air?

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting will be placing seven outdoor air samplers in Illinois communities near agricultural fields this spray season, but we need your help deciding where to place them.



We want to know what pesticides, if any, might be drifting away from crops and onto homes, schools, parks or other sensitive areas where people gather. This will build on our previous reporting about agricultural pesticide regulations in the Midwest.



Do you live, work, or go to school within a quarter mile of an agricultural field and are interested in hosting a sampler, or know of a community group that might be? We want to hear from you.





How will the air sampling work?

Outdoor passive air samplers are designed specifically to trap pollutants onto a polyurethane foam (PUF) disk inside. The dome shape of the device keeps the PUF safe from sunlight, rain and other environmental elements that could dissolve any chemicals that collect there. The sampler is small, portable and does not require electricity or batteries. You simply mount it to a pole, tree or fence. After a few weeks, we will collect the sampler and PUF disk to be professionally analyzed at a laboratory and share the results.

How can I bring an air sampler to my community?

We’re asking people where they would like to see these air samplers in their community. Do your children attend a school near a crop field? Are you a member of parent-teacher association, community group or high school science club that might be interested in hosting an air sampler? Whether you’re a parent, a homeowner or a farmer, we want to hear your suggestions!



The Midwest Center will cover the cost of all equipment and lab testing fees for the project; all we need is your help investigating.



Send your ideas to annacasey@investigatemidwest.org, or fill out this form by March 28.

