Air Quality Measurements

Air Quality Measurements and Real-Time Maps

CREATE-AQI provides real-time PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 um in diameter) maps through a university-run website (AQ&U) or though the Salt Lake County Health Department. Dust (PM10, particulate matter smaller than 10 um in diameter) and additional counties will be coming soon. These maps are based on UDAQ and low-cost sensor measurements. We remove outliers, apply appropriate correction factors to low-cost sensor measurements, and we present the results in an easy-to-interpret heat map.

The vast majority of low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors are incapable of effectively measuring dust (PM10) in spite of manufacturer claims. Our team identified a cost-effect sensor for measuring dust (Alphsense OPC-N3) and worked with TELLUS to integrate this sensor into the sensor network. As part of this project, we will be working to optimize mapping for dust, which is more spatially heterogeneous (larger/denser and tends to settle quickly) than PM2.5.

Real-Time Maps

Real-time map development in progress... The CREATE AQI dashboard will have air pollution heat maps to provide air quality information to users.

Air Quality Sensors

Air quality is measured in real-time using an air quality sensor network through TELLUS. Each air quality sensor node is equipped with a TELLUS printed circuit board (PCB) and, at minimum, a sensor that measures PM2.5 and a sensor that measures temperature and relative humidity. Sensors placed outdoors may be equipped with an additional sensor that measures PM10, while sensors placed indoors will be equipped with an additional sensor that measures carbon dioxide.