Air pollution stands as one of the most pressing environmental and public health crises of our time. Globally, it is estimated to contribute to one in nine deaths annually, imposing a staggering economic burden equivalent to 6.1% of the global GDP (Source: WorldBank 2019).

A large percentage of the world’s population is exposed to air quality levels deemed hazardous, particularly in developing regions. The sources of air pollution are complex and varied, ranging from industrial emissions and vehicular traffic to natural events like dust storms.

For many cities around the world, particularly rapidly growing secondary and tertiary urban centers, air quality monitoring is simply non-existent. These cities often lack the financial and technical capacity to establish and maintain any air quality monitoring networks, despite facing significant air pollution challenges driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, wildfires, agricultural burning and developing infrastructure. Even in cities that do have some monitoring capacity, traditional air quality monitoring methods, reliant on expensive reference grade equipment, often prove insufficient to have enough detailed data to initiate air quality improvements.

Reference instruments, while valuable for overall air quality assessments, are prohibitively expensive and complex for widespread deployment and often lack the density needed to capture crucial hyperlocal variations in air quality. Recognizing this gap, this toolkit is designed to be versatile and impactful, whether implemented in cities completely lacking any existing air quality monitoring infrastructure, or in cities that wish to complement their existing monitoring stations with more granular hyperlocal data. For cities with existing regulatory monitoring stations, the toolkit allows for the integration of reference stations, providing a more complete and nuanced understanding of the air quality landscape and the possibility to use the data from reference stations to calibrate the low-cost network.

Recognizing this critical gap in accessible and affordable air quality monitoring, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Centre in Singapore, in collaboration with AirGradient, has developed this Low-Cost Air Quality Monitoring Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to empower cities and communities, particularly in developing contexts, to independently monitor and understand their air quality environments. As a complete solution, the toolkit provides everything needed to get started – from air quality monitors, a user-friendly data platform to comprehensive documentation. By providing this accessible, user-friendly, and cost-effective solution, we aim to democratize air quality data, fostering informed decision-making, community engagement, and ultimately, cleaner, healthier air for all.

1. The Structure of the Toolkit

This toolkit is designed as a comprehensive, easy to use, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) package, specifically tailored for secondary and tertiary cities and communities with limited resources and technical expertise. The toolkit is structured into three key sections, guiding users through every stage of their air quality monitoring journey:

1.1. Defining the Air Quality Monitoring Strategy (Planning)

Before deploying any monitors, a clear understanding of the air quality challenge is essential. The Planning section of this toolkit guides users through the essential steps of defining their specific air quality concerns and developing a robust monitoring strategy. This section emphasizes the importance of asking critical questions such as: What specific air quality problem are we trying to solve? What geographical area needs to be monitored? What are the desired outcomes of the monitoring project? How can we best involve the local communities and maximise their benefits? And what resources are available? By working through the planning guidelines, users will be able to define clear objectives, determine the appropriate number and placement of monitors, and establish a solid foundation for a successful and impactful air quality monitoring project.

1.2. Installation and Configuration (Set Up)

Once a well-defined plan is in place, the Set Up section provides step-by-step, user-friendly instructions for the physical installation, configuration and calibration of the air quality monitors. Designed for users with no prior technical expertise, this section includes clear, illustrated manuals, and video tutorials guiding users through each step of the installation process. It also offers practical guidance on monitor installation to ensure optimal data collection based on the defined monitoring objectives, straightforward configuration instructions enabling easy connection to power and data networks, and troubleshooting tips with readily available support resources to address potential challenges during the setup phase. The focus of this section is on simplicity and ease of use, ensuring that anyone, regardless of their technical background, can successfully deploy and configure the air quality monitoring network.

1.3. Maintaining, Analyzing, and Utilizing Air Quality Data (Operation)

The Operation section empowers users to effectively manage their deployed network and ensure the ongoing accuracy and reliability of the collected data. A crucial element of this section is guidance on the continuous calibration of the network, a process that can be effectively implemented even if you don’t have direct access to a reference monitoring station. Beyond calibration, this section provides clear instructions for routine maintenance procedures, designed to minimize user effort. The AirGradient data platform assists in data interpretation and visualization, helping users understand key air quality metrics, identify pollution trends, and recognize patterns. The section also includes strategies for effective data sharing and communication, facilitating the dissemination of findings to relevant stakeholders and the broader community, alongside resources for capacity building and continued learning to support users in deepening their expertise in air quality management and data-driven interventions. Ultimately, this section underscores data ownership and accessibility, ensuring that users maintain full control over their data and possess the necessary tools to translate insights into positive action.

2. Key Features of the Toolkit

What truly sets this Low-Cost Hyperlocal Air Quality Monitoring Toolkit apart is that it provides a complete and self-contained solution for establishing a hyperlocal air quality monitoring network. It contains not only comprehensive documentation and guides but also the air quality monitor hardware and the data platform. This all-inclusive approach is designed to remove barriers and empower users, especially in resource-constrained environments. Central to its design is accessibility and affordability, offering a significantly lower cost entry point compared to traditional monitoring systems, thereby democratizing access to air quality data for communities and cities with limited budgets.

Furthermore, the toolkit prioritizes easy access to data and ensures data ownership, providing users with direct and simple access to their collected information in open formats, fostering seamless analysis and collaborative data sharing. A key feature are the built-in calibration methods, that minimizes ongoing maintenance and ensures data accuracy without requiring specialized technical expertise. Recognizing that many users may have no prior experience in air quality management, the toolkit is intentionally designed to be usable without prior knowledge, incorporating comprehensive and user-friendly onboarding materials that empower anyone to effectively deploy, operate, and interpret the data from the system. Finally, this toolkit actively supports capacity building within communities, aiming to foster local expertise in air quality monitoring and data utilization, and ultimately empowering them to become proactive agents in creating healthier environments.

3. About the Partners

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s leading agency on sustainable development, working across 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. UNDP supports nations in developing policies, leadership skills, partnerships, institutional capabilities, and resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s work spans six core areas: poverty and inequality reduction, governance, resilience building, environmental sustainability, access to clean energy, and gender equality. The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development in Singapore is a joint initiative with the Government of Singapore. It focuses on identifying and co-creating technological solutions for sustainable development, fostering partnerships, and connecting innovative solutions with UNDP’s global network and development partners.

AirGradient is a company dedicated to making environmental monitoring accessible and affordable for everyone. Recognizing the limitations of traditional air quality monitoring, AirGradient develops and provides low-cost, high-quality air quality sensors and solutions that are open-source and scalable. AirGradient’s mission is to empower individuals, communities, and organizations with the tools and data they need to understand and improve their air quality, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Developed by AirGradient in Collaboration with the UNDP Global Centre Singapore CC-BY-SA