On November 4, 2016 , the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a collaborative project with the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) and the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) that is field testing newly installed, lower-cost air pollution sensor pods in the Memphis, Tennessee area. Air sensor pods have been installed at sixteen locations including seven SCHD locations and three MATA transit facilities.

EPA’s CitySpace research project is field testing these air sensor monitors to understand how this emerging technology can add valuable information on air pollution patterns in neighborhoods. The sensors are being installed and data will be captured over a six month period concluding in February 2017.

“The knowledge we gain from the monitoring project will help to advance the use of these lower-cost and portable sensors in communities to learn more about air quality. We have received support and interest from Memphis residents and organizations in this project and we plan to keep the community informed about progress and results,” said Ron Williams, EPA researcher leading the development of the sensor technology being deployed.

Seven pods were installed at active or historical air monitoring sites operated by SCHD. Two additional sensor pods will be installed at separate locations during the month of November. Sensor locations were selected based upon input from community members, local county and state organizations, predicted air pollution patterns, and by comparing sensor readings with higher-quality data from air monitors currently being used.

Results from the study will be used to provide the Memphis community and scientific community a greater understanding of local air pollutant patterns.

Each monitor collects data that includes particulate matter (PM), temperature, humidity, and wind. Data will be recorded each minute and transmitted wirelessly to EPA. The sensor pods are intended to complement existing monitoring networks that will allow local air pollution patterns to be explored.

More information on the CitySpace research project can be found at EPA’s City Space Fact Sheet.

What this means to you
EPA’s CitySpace research project is field testing Memphis air sensor monitors to understand how this emerging technology can add valuable information on air pollution patterns in neighborhoods. The data will capture data over a six month period concluding in February 2017.

MIRATECH can help
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