Wearable air sensors enable communities to take action for clean air

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To effectively tackle air pollution, data is needed to decifer the kinds of pollution and where it comes from.

Air quality sensors can record concentrations of air pollution at street level. Yet, the technology is often expensive and requires technical expertise. This makes it prohibitively expensive for most communities, especially the most disadvantaged communities, which are more likely to be exposed to the highest levels of air pollution.

Data is critical

Without access to air quality data, these communities and the policymakers who serve them do not have a clear picture of the health impacts of polluted air.

Critical to understanding the issues facing communities is to enable them to collect local air quality data.

HabitatMap has developed an air quality sensor that is affordable, portable and easy to use:

  • a low-cost, hand-sized air quality meter called AirBeam :point_right: AirBeam measures local concentrations of air pollution particles (known as particulate matter), humidity and temperature.

HabitatMap offers free AirBeams to environmental justice organisations

  • They focus on low-income communities and communities of colour.

AirBeam sensors:

  • Collect hyperlocal air quality measurements.

  • Filling data gaps in monitoring density and in hard-to-reach places

  • Personalising the impact

  • Enabling widespread citizen-science campaigns

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