Empowering Community Air Quality Awareness through Madison's Low-Cost Sensor Network

Goal

Our project aims to assess potential disparities in exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) utilizing Madison’s new low-cost sensor network. Spearheaded by the City of Madison, in collaboration with the Latino Health Council of Dane County, the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, and the Hmong Institute, this collaborative effort will deploy a city-wide network of air quality sensors. These QuantAQ low-cost sensors will measure PM2.5, which poses significant health risks to the community. Given that air pollution disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, our goal is to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of PM2.5 and its impact on different demographic groups in Madison. This assessment will utilize the available data from the new low-cost sensor network to identify potential disparities in PM2.5 exposure.

Objectives

  • Create a community-informed monitoring network comprising low-cost sensors distributed across Madison to address the neighborhood-scale variability of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
  • Support neighborhood-scale data collection to evaluate the distribution of PM2.5 throughout Madison and assess any demographic disparities in exposure to poor air quality.
  • Communicate research findings to the community, enhancing public awareness and understanding of local air quality issues.

    • Outcomes

    The project is currently in its preliminary stages. Open houses have been conducted to gather feedback from community members, which is being integrated into the process of determining sensor placement. One more open house is scheduled to take place. The initial phase of deploying a trial of the first few QuantAQ low-cost sensors is planned for spring 2024. Outcomes will be continually updated as the project progresses.

    Funding Partners:

    NASA

    Timeline:

    2023-Present

    Tools:

    QuantAQ Sensors

    Core Team Members:

    Tracey Holloway, Cecilia Orth, Cara Scalpone, Lizzy Kysela