Air Quality Enhancement Districts: democratizing data to improve respiratory health

Abstract

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently acknowledged that the principal mode for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) to spread is through airborne particles. Reducing levels of particulate matter, a form of air pollutant, may decrease the spread of the virus and save lives. In this article, we propose establishing local Air Quality Enhancement Districts using low-cost air quality sensors. Air quality sensors provide more detailed data on particulate matter concentrations than what is currently provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which will allow communities and individuals to make better informed decisions about activities during poor air quality days. The core principles behind local Air Quality Enhancement Districts is to (1) provide citizens with more localized data on air quality, (2) raise awareness on localized pollution and health impacts related to COVID-19, and (3) empower citizens and local governments to take quick actions to reduce exposure and respiratory distress during times of poor air quality.

Estimating Air Pollution Removal and Monetary Value for Urban Green Infrastructure Strategies Using Web-Based Applications

“…Many developed nations are beginning to reduce pollution emissions and deposition through successful environmental policies [73][74][75]. At the same time, cities are implementing strategies to tackle air pollution; e.g., large scale urban afforestation projects are becoming more popular as a strategy to improve urban sustainability and human health [76].…”