Air pollution remains a critical global challenge, impacting vulnerable communities the most. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), weak policies and fragmented institutions further hinder effective air quality (AQ) management. Furthermore, AQ monitoring is often hampered by the lack of comprehensive measurement infrastructure. Limited computational resources also restrict data analysis and modeling. Addressing these challenges requires strong local and international collaboration to improve AQ management. Accessible and affordable AQ sensors (popularly known as low-cost sensor systems, LCS) are key tools for building local capacity and addressing these challenges in LMICs.
This session will showcase best practices in using LCS for AQ monitoring. We will explore case studies where LCS enhance remote sensing, improve forecasting and modeling, and support public health and community monitoring initiatives, particularly, but not limited, to resource-limited settings. This session promotes practical sensor applications that enhance data capabilities and foster strong local and international collaboration. It will also explore strategies for sustainable practices that empower communities and ensure equitable partnerships.
We welcome, but not limit, contributions that aim at:
- Proposing innovative solutions to address QA/QC in sensors.
- Characterizing sensor uncertainty and evaluating sensor performance across various locations and/or climatic conditions.
- Addressing calibration and maintenance challenges to ensure long-term accuracy and reliability of sensors.
- Enhancing local technical skills and computational resources to manage, integrate, and analyze large volumes of data.
- Highlighting the integration of sensor data with other data sources such as satellite imagery, models, and higher-end measurements.
- Designing effective sensor networks to optimize coverage and data reliability.
- Tackling technical and logistical challenges in sensor use within financially and technically constrained environments.
- Assessing the role of sensors in public health and personal exposure studies.
- Evaluating the role of policy and regulation in promoting and overseeing the effective use of sensors.
- Fostering citizen involvement in AQ monitoring to enhance community engagement and data collection.
- Building frameworks for enduring local and international partnerships that support comprehensive AQ initiatives.