&EPA
www.epa.gov/research
science in ACTION
INNOVATIVE RESEARCH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
CITIZEN SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MONITORING AIR QUALITY
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen science includes
public participation in scientific
research and many other
activities designed to improve
the public's understanding of
their environment, including
local air quality. The U.S.
Environmental Protection
Agency develops, supports
and participates in citizen
science projects and conducts
research to support citizen
science activities.
Citizen Science and Air
Quality Monitoring
Air quality in the United
States is tracked using a
network of national monitors
located across the country.
The monitors use established
technologies that provide
regional data on air quality for
implementing the nation's air
quality standards,
enforcement and research .
The monitoring network, while
critical to protecting air quality,
has limited use for direct
personal or local air quality
information. EPA is evaluating
and developing new air
measurement technologies,
including sensors, to increase
the ability of individuals and
communities to learn about
their local air quality.
Equipment at a typical regulatory
monitoring site.
A wide variety of small,
portable and lower-cost
monitoring devices are being
developed by industry,
universities and individuals to
potentially enhance air quality
monitoring capabilities. EPA
scientists are collaborating
with other federal, state and
non-governmental institutions
to encourage the development
of new sensor and app
technologies for measuring air
quality and are evaluating the
performance of these new
technologies.
The Next Generation Air
Monitors (NGAM) are:
•	Less expensive ($100 to
$5,000)
•	Highly portable and easy to
operate (often mobile)
•	Require minimal training to
start collecting data
•	Inexpensive to operate
t9 <*,-
AiiCasting App	AirCastina Air Monitor
The AirCasting App and Air Monitor
enable users to record, map and
share health and environmental data
using their Smartphone and the
portable air monitor. This example
and the one below represent types of
new technologies available for citizen
science activities. EPA encourages
new technology development, but
does not endorse any products.
The CairClip air sensor fits in the
palm of a hand and collects data on
ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the air.
Air Sensor Toolbox for
Citizen Scientists
Air
Sensor
Measure Learn • Share
EPA's online Air Sensor
Toolbox for Citizen Scientists
supports air monitoring
initiatives in communities. The
Toolbox provides resources
and tools for air quality
monitoring. The Air Sensor
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development

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Toolbox for Citizen Scientists
includes:
•	Sampling methodologies;
•	Generalized
calibration/validation
approaches;
•	Measurement method
options;
•	Data interpretation
guidelines;
•	Education and outreach;
•	Low cost sensor
performance information
http://www.epa.gov/air-
research/air-sensor-toolbox-
citizen-scientists
Other Tools for Citizen
Scientists
RETIGO
EPA's Real-Time Geospatial
Data Viewer or "RETIGO," is a
free, web-based tool that
allows users to visualize air
quality data from monitoring
technologies. RETIGO puts
the power of analysis in the
user's hands with its
interactive platform and easy-
to-navigate interface.
The user simply uploads air
quality data to the online tool
system to visualize and
interact with small to large
data sets over space and
time. Data collected while
driving, riding a bicycle or
walking along a planned route
can be explored on a map
interface and also shown on
several other graphs.
http://www.epa.gov/hesc/real-
time-qeospatial-data-viewer
C-FERST
EPA is developing the
Community-Focused
Exposure and Risk Screening
Tool (C-FERST) — a web-
based decision support tool to
assist communities with the
challenge of identifying
environmental issues, making
decisions about environmental
exposures and risks within
their community and
identifying potential solutions.
Citizen scientists can use C-
FERST to map the air quality
data they collect and compare
these with sources, models
and other data layers.
http://www.epa.gov/healthrese
arch/communitv-focused-
exposure-and-risk-screeninq-
tool-c-ferst
EnviroAtlas
EPA's EnviroAtlas is a web-
based mapping tool that
allows communities to explore
the potential benefits and
costs of decisions related to
community planning and
development, including social
equity.
EnviroAtlas helps community
leaders assess services of
urban green spaces, such as
air pollutant removal and heat
reduction, and their estimated
health impacts. Citizen
science can be used to refine
these measures through
participatory research and
increased awareness of green
infrastructure benefits.
http://www.epa.gov/enviroatla
s
Additional Links:
EPA Next Generation Air
Measuring
http://www.epa.gov/air-
research/next-generation-air-
measuring-research
Contacts:
Amanda Kaufman
kaufman.amanda@epa.gov
Ron Williams,
williams.ronald@epa.gov
Tim Barzyk,
barzvk.timothv@epa.gov
Gayle Hagler
hagler.gavle@epa.gov
November 2015
2
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development

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