This Air Quality Citizen Science research project aims to provide a better awareness and understanding of local hotspots of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in the Williamsburg, Brooklyn neighborhood, which is prone to a high rate of asthma and cardio-respiratory diseases. A key component of the project is to involve the local population in all aspects of the study, ranging from project design to implementation. Members of the community and high school students participated in both defining the study objectives and the collection of air quality data using low-cost sensor technology (AirBeam2) on the basis of personal monitoring procedures. Key targets for the data collection on PM2.5 exposure included schools and playgrounds near major roadways. Project participants attended workshops and training sessions to better understand air pollution in their community and to learn how to use low cost sensor technology to collect and analyze environmental data. In addition to personal monitoring activities, a fixed-site monitoring network, using low-cost Airbeam2 devices, was set up at 12 locations in the Williamsburg neighborhood, which provide real-time PM2.5 air concentrations that are transmitted to a cloud server. Tableau software is being used for data visualization and risk communication. Prior to the use of low cost sensor technology for personal monitoring and the fixed-site network in the project area, an assessment of the performance of all Airbeam2 instruments was performed under ambient conditions at the Queens College-based regulatory monitoring site. Preliminary data indicate distinct spatial patterns of PM2.5 concentrations in the project area of Williamsburg. Some of the questions which will be answered through this Citizen Science pilot study involve a better understanding of the effectiveness of community and volunteer collaboration and an assessment of the efficacy of low cost sensor technology to describe fine scale spatial-temporal characteristics of the project area in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Air Quality Citizen Science Research Project in Williamsburg, NYC
Ana Maria Carmen Ilie
;Holger Eisl
2019
Abstract
This Air Quality Citizen Science research project aims to provide a better awareness and understanding of local hotspots of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in the Williamsburg, Brooklyn neighborhood, which is prone to a high rate of asthma and cardio-respiratory diseases. A key component of the project is to involve the local population in all aspects of the study, ranging from project design to implementation. Members of the community and high school students participated in both defining the study objectives and the collection of air quality data using low-cost sensor technology (AirBeam2) on the basis of personal monitoring procedures. Key targets for the data collection on PM2.5 exposure included schools and playgrounds near major roadways. Project participants attended workshops and training sessions to better understand air pollution in their community and to learn how to use low cost sensor technology to collect and analyze environmental data. In addition to personal monitoring activities, a fixed-site monitoring network, using low-cost Airbeam2 devices, was set up at 12 locations in the Williamsburg neighborhood, which provide real-time PM2.5 air concentrations that are transmitted to a cloud server. Tableau software is being used for data visualization and risk communication. Prior to the use of low cost sensor technology for personal monitoring and the fixed-site network in the project area, an assessment of the performance of all Airbeam2 instruments was performed under ambient conditions at the Queens College-based regulatory monitoring site. Preliminary data indicate distinct spatial patterns of PM2.5 concentrations in the project area of Williamsburg. Some of the questions which will be answered through this Citizen Science pilot study involve a better understanding of the effectiveness of community and volunteer collaboration and an assessment of the efficacy of low cost sensor technology to describe fine scale spatial-temporal characteristics of the project area in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
