Low-Cost Air Sensors

• By: AWMA
• On: 06/08/2025 11:46:31
• In: EM Articles
• Comments: 0

by Mingming Lu, Yiqiu Lin, and Colleen Marciel F. Rosales

In a recent report by the World Meteorological Organization, low-cost air quality sensor systems (LCS) are described as “emerging technologies for policy-relevant air quality analysis, including pollution levels, source identification, and forecasting.” In addition, LCS can add value and broaden the reach of current air quality monitoring systems to provide detailed and localized information to increase public understanding, support scientific studies and research, and help create better air quality management policies.

This month's issue features articles from various organizations that use low-cost sensors to benefit public health in communities. It also highlights tools, workshops, and trainings that have been developed by various organizations to enhance the usability and effectiveness of low-cost air sensors.

In the first article, Carolina Correa from Brightline Defense, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization, discusses how her organization worked with coalitions to install low-cost air sensors and use open air quality data to advocate for policy changes, increase resources for cleaner air, and be prepared for wildfire effects in Eastern San Francisco. Similarly, in the second article, Edward Ballaron, Eli Lessman, David Frisbey, and Shawn Boyle share Monterey Bay Air Resources District's deployment of an LCS network in response to wildfires in California.

Third, Nicholas J. Spada and Dhawal Majithi from the University of California Davis's Air Quality Research Center describe a camera system that their group constructed. This camera system uses computer vision with a particle sensor to detect coal train emissions in residential areas. Next, Mingming Lu from the University of Cincinnati talks about the successes of using low-cost sensors for teaching different levels of undergraduate environmental courses, and how having desirable hands-on activities can enhance students' experience and motivate them to pursue environmental careers. 

In the last article, Andrea Clements, Karoline Barkjohn, Elizabeth Good, and Corey Mocka from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide an overview of the agency's activities on best practices for quality assurance and quality control.

We hope that you enjoy this issue's review of success stories and lessons learned during the implementation of low-cost air quality sensors for community level-air quality monitoring.

Continue reading the full June 2025 issue of EM.