Dr. Clare E.B. Cannon is an Associate Professor of Social and Environmental Justice in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis. As a key contributor to the Air Quality Research Center, Dr. Cannon is leading efforts to deploy Toxic-Metal Aerosol Real-Time Analysis (TARTA) instruments across California. These innovative devices are designed to detect and quantify 16 different airborne metallic compounds, offering a low-cost, energy-efficient alternative to traditional ambient toxic metal analyzers. Her work is advancing environmental monitoring and promoting equitable access to clean air data across communities.

Dr. Clare Cannon, PhD, Alex Sanchez, MS, and Michaela Anang, JD are partnering with Rise South City through the UC Community Air Project (CAP)—an initiative dedicated to empowering communities disproportionately impacted by poor air quality. Together, they are advancing community-led research and deploying cutting-edge air monitoring tools like the Toxic-Metal Aerosol Real-Time Analysis (TARTA) instrument.

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TARTA enables real-time detection and quantification of 16 hazardous atmospheric metallic compounds—an area of air quality that has historically been difficult to measure due to high costs and limited mobility of traditional equipment. By integrating this novel technology into community spaces, the team is helping residents gain access to critical air quality data, fostering environmental awareness, and supporting informed advocacy for healthier, more equitable neighborhoods.

.Photo taken at a monitoring site in San Bruno (photo credit Michaela Anang).

Click the PDF icon to explore the full San Bruno: Community Air Quality Report.

This comprehensive report presents an in-depth overview of current air quality conditions in San Bruno, outlines key regulatory frameworks, and shares preliminary findings and insights from the 2025 Community Air Project (CAP). Discover how local data is shaping our understanding of air quality in San Bruno.