Office of Research & Development | April 2022

United States
Environmental
Protection Agency

AEPA

Participatory Science Data
Management Case Studies

Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Network

*Environmerital Protection Agency [Contract No.
GS-35F-410DA] to Information International Associates, INC.


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Imperial County Community Air Monitoring

Network

Improving Data Management for Participatory Science

In response to community needs, the Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Network project
created a network of 40 air monitors that provide real-time particulate matter data. Regular maintenance
and attention to sensor performance data help extend the life of the network's sensors.

Project Overview & Goals

The Imperial County Community Air
Monitoring Network (ICCAMN) was
developed in response to community
residents' concerns about air quality and
their desire for more neighborhood-level
data. The network was designed with
significant input and decision-making from
community residents, while incorporating
technical priorities to ensure scientific
integrity.

ICCAMN is a network of 40 air monitors
located throughout Imperial County, CA.
These monitors measure current levels of
particulate matter air pollution (both fine
particulate matter (PM2.5) and respirable
particulate matter (PM10)). The project
was developed through a partnership
between the nonprofit organization
Comite Civico del Valle (CCV), Tracking
California (a program of the Public Health
Institute), University of Washington
School of Public Health, and collaborators
at University of California at Los Angeles
and George Washington University.

Role of Project Participants

A steering committee of community
members helped guide the project and
connected CCV with local utility companies
to obtain encroachment permits and to

engage and train
additional project
participants for site
evaluation and selection.
A larger group of 45
participants engaged in a
mapping exercise to
identify sensitive locations
for monitor placement.

Data Management





Issue:

Air Quality

Location:

Imperial County,
CA

Tools:

Air Monitoring
Network

Contact:

Paul English

Sensor data is transmitted remotely, and the
community air quality levels are made
available via the Identifying Violations
Affecting Neighborhoods (IVAN) Air
website. Technical and physical sensor
maintenance training is provided by CCV
based on methods developed with Tracking
California and the University of Washington.
Quality assurance and quality control
procedures assure the completeness of
data and the performance of sensors.

Data Use

A public website displays the ICCAMN data.
Interested parties may also make a request
to obtain the data. Data from ICCAMN is
used by the general public, academic
researchers, policy makers and advocacy
groups.

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Issues & Lesson's Learned

Technical issues encountered include
power and network availability in remote
areas and maintenance of the sensors.
However, regular maintenance and
attention to sensor performance and
conditions help extend the life of sensors.
Additional calibration can also help with
sensor performance. Non-technical issues
include challenges in accessing sensors
located in buildings that may be closed at
times (e.g., schools) or locations where a
host became inaccessible.

The project has been able to find avenues
for funding and support. However, not all
organizations have the staff to maintain
the server, manage data, create
visualizations, etc. For organizations with
an interest in building their own network,
providing support (in terms of people or
server space) would be helpful. Technical
knowledge and support can help people
take the next step.

Outcomes & Success Factors

The ICCAMN has enabled the community
to use the data for personal decision
making, especially around asthma
education and mitigation of asthma

attacks. The project and data were a
model for California's Assembly Bill (AB)
617, a law relating to air pollutants and
contaminants from sources other than
vehicles.

The project attributes its success to
having community buy-in. This has
enabled them to make inroads with
essential community partners and recruit
volunteers. The project has also benefited
from a foundation in scientific
methodology and providing a novel
service to the community.

Opportunities

•	The ICCAMN project has several
resources that can be made
shareable to support participatory
science projects such as their
guidebook, technical manual, video
trainings, SOPs and workshop
presentations.

•	Support is needed for dedicated
training sessions and workshops
focused on creating CCS and air
monitoring networks.

•	The data needs of individual
communities should be emphasized.

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