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Nogales-area group and University of Arizona launch AirSmart sensor network to track air quality ahead of mining activity
Summary
Calabasas Alliance and UArizona presented the AirSmart program to place low-cost and research-grade air sensors across Santa Cruz County, with an online dashboard and plans to install about 20 sensors to capture baseline pollution data prior to expanded mining activity.
The Calabasas Alliance and the University of Arizona on Feb. 5 announced AirSmart, a community-led air-monitoring program that will place real-time air-quality sensors in Rio Rico, Nogales and Patagonia to establish baseline data and track changes as nearby mining activity ramps up.
The program, Calabasas Alliance president Robin Lucky told the council, will “place advanced air monitoring sensors around locations in Santa Cruz County” and publish the data on an online dashboard that will be open to the public. Assistant Professor Chris Lim of the UArizona Mel and Edith Zuckerman College of Public Health said the plan is to begin equipment installations within about two weeks.
The work matters because, Lim said, “Santa Cruz County is in nonattainment for both PM 2.5 and PM 10,” and local air quality can vary sharply over short distances and time periods. Lim said mining development and associated truck traffic could increase particulate…
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