Air pollution is a growing concern around the world, with harmful effects on human health and the environment. As a result, researchers are turning to low-cost sensors to monitor air quality, as well as other environmental risks, in a more accessible and affordable way. In this blog post, I explore some recent case studies that demonstrate the power of low-cost sensing to understand air pollution and other environmental risks.
Worker-led PM2.5 sensing in California
One such case study comes from California, where workers and community members used low-cost sensors to monitor PM2.5 concentrations inside an industrial facility in Santa Ana. PM2.5 refers to tiny particles in the air that can be harmful when inhaled, particularly to those with respiratory issues. By using low-cost sensors, the workers were able to identify areas of the facility with the highest levels of PM2.5, which could then be addressed to reduce worker exposure and improve overall air quality.
Masri, Rea, and Wu (2022)
Community-led PM and heart rate variability sensing in Taiwan
Another example comes from Taiwan, where researchers used wearable low-cost sensors to study the associations between PM2.5 and PM1 exposure and heart rate variability. Heart rate variability is a measure of how the heart responds to changes in the environment, and can be used as an indicator of overall health. By wearing low-cost sensors, participants were able to track their exposure to air pollution over time and correlate it with changes in their heart rate variability. This study demonstrates the potential for low-cost sensors to provide individuals with personalized information about their exposure to air pollution and its effects on their health.
Tsou et al. (2021)
From Do-It-Youerself (DIY) to Do-It-Together (DIT)
But it’s not just about individual monitoring. The concept of Do-It-Together (DIT) is also gaining popularity in citizen-driven air quality monitoring frameworks, as demonstrated in this case study, called the AirBox project, in Taiwan. DIT involves collaboration between community members, researchers, and other stakeholders to co-design and implement air quality monitoring initiatives. By working together, communities can gain a greater understanding of the air pollution issues in their area, and develop effective solutions that are tailored to their unique needs. The author proposes four essential elements of technology-innovation and citizen science:
- Participatory Sensing – Static and mobile air quality sensing,
- Open Data – Open hardware, software and access to data,
- Co-creation Citizen Science – Citizen-led campaigns and forums, and
- Outreach – Knowledge sharing, trust building and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Extending to other environmental risks
Low-cost sensors can also be employed to monitor a wide array of environmental risks, such as noise and heat. The Urban ReLeaf project in the Europe is a great example of a community-led initiative that utilizes low-cost sensing to gather data on the local environment. By engaging thousands of members of the public to install sensors and use mobile phone apps to capture data on the local environment, the project gathers evidence and raise awareness of the environmental problems facing cities. Similar to other community-led sensing initiatives, Urban ReLeaf leverages citizen science and other novel data streams to offer new insights and address challenges related to climate change, green infrastructure, and urban design planning. By working with local designers, artists, and citizen associations, the project also fosters community engagement and co-creation of solutions. The success of the Urban ReLeaf project and other similar initiatives demonstrates the potential for community-led sensing to support climate change adaptation, green infrastructure, and urban design planning.
With the increasing importance of urban resilience and the need for sustainable urban futures, it is exciting to see cities across Europe and around the world embrace these innovative approaches to addressing environmental challenges. Low-cost sensors are a powerful tool for understanding air pollution and other environmental risk factors, as well as their effects on human health. By using these sensors in innovative ways, researchers and communities can gain a greater understanding of environmental health issues and work together to develop effective solutions.
Sustainable Communities 
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