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Community group, University of Arizona launch hyperlocal air-monitoring network for Santa Cruz County
Summary
The Calabasas Alliance and the University of Arizona presented AirSmart, a community-managed network of low-cost and rooftop air sensors for Rio Rico, Nogales and Patagonia; installations will begin within two weeks and the group asked the city to allow devices on municipal property.
The Calabasas Alliance and the University of Arizona presented a community air-monitoring program called AirSmart on Feb. 5, announcing plans to install a network of low-cost and rooftop air sensors in Santa Cruz County, including Rio Rico, Nogales and Patagonia.
The program, led by Robin Lucky of the Calabasas Alliance and Dr. Chris Lim of the UArizona Zuckerman College of Public Health, will deploy both low-cost PurpleAir units (about $300 each) and more-accurate rooftop sensors (roughly $3,000–$5,000) and feed data into an online public dashboard in real time. Lucky said installations will begin within the next two weeks and will be managed locally by Calabasas Alliance volunteers and UArizona graduate students.
Dr. Lim emphasized the public-health rationale: Santa Cruz County is designated nonattainment for PM2.5 and PM10 and the county currently has only one federal monitor in Nogales. He showed examples from other cities where citizen sensors reveal local peaks not captured by distant federal monitors. The project aims to capture baseline readings before mining activity in the Patagonia Mountains increases dust and metal-bearing particulate matter, Lim said.
Speakers and some council members asked about how results will be presented to the public and about siting, theft and sensor capabilities. Lim and Lucky said the dashboard will include a color scale and background information tying concentration levels to health guidance. PurpleAir units require power and internet; the Quant HQ rooftop units require a higher purchase and a recurring service fee (Lucky said about $500 per year for one platform). Lim said gas-capable monitors (ozone, NO2) exist but cost roughly $12,000 per unit.
City Manager Joe Kramer and several council members said staff would cooperate with the program and consider allowing sensors on city property. Kramer said staff would coordinate with the university and community group on siting, power and internet needs.
The presenters said the Calabasas Alliance will receive no compensation for managing the program; UArizona faculty and students will support analytics and the online dashboard. Dr. Denise Moreno Ramirez, a Nogales High School graduate and member of the team, was noted as not present at the meeting.
Next steps described at the meeting included beginning installations within two weeks, coordinating placement with city staff (especially downtown or near the border for better spatial coverage), and continuing outreach to the mining project and other local stakeholders to avoid duplication of sensor placements.
Council members suggested possible locations (downtown, courthouse, rooftop placement to avoid vandalism) and discussed potential partnerships with the county and school districts for additional rooftop monitoring. Lucky and Lim said they will follow up with city staff to identify suitable municipal properties and to coordinate technical needs.
