Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 17, 2026 New study examines air quality near Everett schools Everett uses data to inform solutions, reduce exposure and protect student health Special to The Advocate A new regional study examining air quality in the Lower Mystic area is helping communities, including Everett, better understand how traffic patterns impact air pollution near schools and where targeted improvements can make a difference. The Community-Led Improvement of Air Quality in the Lower Mystic (CLEANAIR) study, which was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and led by the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), analyzed transportation-related air pollution (TRAP) across Everett, Malden, CharlesMyRWA Executive Director Patrick Herron speaking about the CLEANAIR Project to community members at the Everett Rec Center. CLEANAIR study monitoring locations. Community members listening to CLEANAIR Report-Out speaker Research Assistant Professor Neelakshi Hudda of Tufts University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The air monitor on top of Everett City Hall that tracked air quality and pollutants for this project. town and East Boston. Findings from the three-year study show that vehicle-related air pollution levels increase during school pick-up and drop-off hours across the region, with schools experiencing two to three times more pollution compared to in non-school periods. The data reinforces what many urban communities already experience: Traffic conAIR QUALITY | SEE PAGE 11
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