CITIZEN SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MONITORING AIR QUALITY
What is Citizen Science? The monitoring network, collaborating with other Citizen science includes however, does not always lend federal, state and non- projects and programs itself for use by citizens governmental institutions to designed to engage the public because it is designed to encourage the development of in scientific investigations, provide regional data, and has new sensor and app such as asking questions, limited utility for direct technologies for measuring air collecting data or interpreting personal or local air quality quality and are evaluating the results. Citizen science information. The monitoring performance of these new includes volunteer monitoring, systems are also large and technologies. Such public participation in stationary, expensive to technologies are not yet scientific research, and many operate and require frequent approved for regulatory other activities. maintenance by trained staff. monitoring. Citizens are interested in The next generation air The U.S. Environmental learning more about local air monitors are: Protection Agency fosters quality where they live, work • Inexpensive ($100 to $5,000) citizen science in a number of and play. New technologies •Highly portable and easy to ways. The Agency creates are being developed and operate (often mobile) citizen science projects, evaluated to fill this need •Require minimal training to participates in projects through EPA’s Next start collecting data managed by other Generation Air Monitoring •Inexpensive to operate organizations and helps research activities. (replace or recharge batteries) individuals identify and develop citizen science projects for the public.
Citizen Science and Air Quality Monitoring Air quality in the United States is tracked using a network of national monitors The AirCasting App and Air Monitor located across the country. Equipment at a typical regulatory enable users to record, map and The monitors use established monitoring site. share health and environmental data technologies that provide using their Smartphone and the A wide variety of small, portable air monitor. This example accurate regional data on air portable and lower-cost and the one below represent types of quality for use in monitoring devices are being new technologies available for implementing the nation’s air developed by industry, citizen science activities. EPA quality standards, enforcement universities and individuals to encourages new technology and research. potentially enhance air quality development, but does not endorse monitoring capabilities in the any products. future. EPA scientists are U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1 Office of Research and Development
• Data interpretation Resources / More Info: guidelines Air Sensor Toolbox for • Education and outreach Citizen Scientists • Low cost sensor http://www.epa.gov/heasd/airs performance information ensortoolbox/
EPA Next Generation Air C-FERST Monitoring The CairClip air sensor fits in the EPA is developing the www.epa.gov/research/airscie palm of a hand and collects data on Community-Focused nce/next-generation-air- ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the Exposure and Risk Screening measuring.htm air. Tool (C-FERST) — a web- based mapping tool designed EPA Community-Focused Exposure and Risk Screening Citizen Science Toolbox to assist communities with the challenge of identifying and Tool (C-FERST) http://www.epa.gov/heasd/c- EPA’s Air Sensor Toolbox for prioritizing environmental ferst/ Citizen Scientists provides issues, and making decisions information and guidance on about environmental new low-cost compact exposures and risks within EPA Air Sensors Evaluation technologies for measuring air their community. Citizen http://www.epa.gov/nerl/featur quality. Since citizens are scientists could use C-FERST es/sensors.html interested in learning more to map and analyze the air about local air quality where quality data they collect. The EPA EnviroAtlas they live, work and play, EPA tool can be used to access scientists are collaborating guidance and best practices on http://www.epa.gov/research/e with other federal, state, and using citizen science methods nviroatlas and data. non-governmental institutions to encourage the development of new sensor and app EnviroAtlas technologies for measuring air EPA is developing Contacts: quality. EnviroAtlas, a web-based Ron Williams, mapping tool that allows [email protected] The Toolbox provides communities to estimate the information to help citizens potential benefits and costs of Tim Barzyk, more effectively and decisions related to [email protected] accurately collect air quality community planning and data in their community, development, including July 2014 including information on; environmental impacts.
• Sampling methodologies Community leaders can assess • Generalized air quality levels and their
calibration/validation health impacts from different approaches planning scenarios to reduce • Measurement methods exposure to pollutants and options increase respiratory and heart health. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2 Office of Research and Development