​​​BUFFALO, N.Y. — ​The University at Buffalo is getting nearly $500,000 in federal funding to research the effects of pollution on communities of color.

UB’s Research Foundation will use the money to place several low cost air pollution sensors around Buffalo’s African American communities.

"Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan, the Empire State is getting a gust of federal support to fight pollution and keep our air healthy and clean," said Sen. Chuck Schumer. "From Buffalo to the South Bronx, this federal investment in environmental justice will ensure all communities get the support they need to monitor and fight for clean air, improve public health, and build a more sustainable future."

UB will use the collected data, as well as past trends, to create an air quality prediction model. This will help in identifying and studying health issues for those people who live in marginalized communities.

The monies will be used to "deploy low-cost air pollution sensors at sampling sites in the residence of the marginalized African American community in Buffalo and develop a community-specific air quality prediction model by integrating the collected sensor measurements with existing data," according to a press release.

"Access to clean air is a right we must fight to protect," added Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. "This investment will help ensure that communities from the South Bronx to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe have the resources they need to study and combat air pollution. It will keep New Yorkers healthier and our cities and towns cleaner. I’m proud to be delivering this money to New York and I’ll keep fighting to bring more federal dollars to our state."

Data will be useful to develop interevent adverse health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable population, in the community.