Carper Highlights the Potential of Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors to Protect Public Health
Carper Highlights the Potential of Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors to Protect Public Health US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
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U.S. Senator Tom Carper Leads Hearing on Low-Cost Air Quality Monitoring Sensor Technologies
Examining the State of Air Quality Monitoring Technology
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today led a hearing to examine the state of low-cost air quality monitoring sensor technologies, as well as the potential for these technologies to help reduce air pollution and protect public health.
HIGHLIGHTS:
ON THE RISING ACCURACY, AFFORDABILITY AND DEPENDABILITY OF LOW-COST AIR QUALITY SENSORS:
Chairman Tom Carper:
- “Many Americans today do not even know they are being exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution. That’s why sensors are critical — because they detect pollutants that the human eye or the human nose cannot detect. And this technology is getting better and more affordable by the day.”
Omar Hammad, Environmental Policy Analyst, Congressional Research Service:
- “Low cost air sensors, unlike ambient air monitors, are non-regulatory and relatively low-priced devices often priced below $2,500 compared to the regulatory monitors that can reach prices of up to $50,000. Advancements in technology, micro-processing capabilities and [miniaturization] have led to an expansion in availability of low-cost air sensors to measure a variety of air pollutants. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the use of low-cost air sensors is increasing — driven in part by policy and public interest in air quality stemming from wildfire smoke, neighborhoods near pollution sources and other concerns.”
ON THE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH:
Chairman Carper:
- “Collecting local air data helps states, helps Tribes, helps communities find pollution hotspots and identify facilities that may be generating excess pollution. Low-cost sensors also save air agencies money by enabling them to direct resources to where the worst pollution is.”
William Obermann, Air Program Supervisor, Department of Public Health and Environment, City and County of Denver:
- “Our information is easy to consume and timely. For example, nurses use our information when caring for asthmatic children on high air pollution days. Our program started in the schools and what we learned is the most responsive population were the nurses. It’s best to use these trusted partners to help build more awareness around air quality and health, and today we’re expanding our program into three local health clinics, because they too are trusted partners in health.”
ON THEIR COMPATIBILITY WITH EXISTING REGULATORY MONITORS:
Chairman Carper:
- “These sensors complement regulatory monitors. For example, during the wildfires last summer in Delaware, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control used data from eleven regulatory monitors, data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and data from low-cost sensors to track air pollution. Using all three sources, DNREC was able to quickly issue public health advisories for vulnerable residents.”
Click here to watch Chairman Carper’s questions to the witnesses.
Click here to watch Chairman Carper’s opening statement.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution – Number of low-cost air quality sensors deployed |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Air quality index in cities – Number of low-cost air quality sensors deployed in cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | – Integration of low-cost air quality sensors into national climate change policies and strategies |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the state of low-cost air quality monitoring sensor technologies and their potential to reduce air pollution and protect public health. These issues are directly connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. Additionally, the article highlights the benefits of these sensors in identifying pollution hotspots and directing resources to where the worst pollution is, which aligns with SDG 11’s target of reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities. The integration of low-cost air quality sensors into national policies and strategies also relates to SDG 13’s target of integrating climate change measures.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
The article emphasizes the importance of low-cost air quality sensors in detecting pollutants that are harmful to human health. Therefore, it aligns with Target 3.9 of SDG 3, which aims to reduce deaths and illnesses from air pollution. The use of these sensors to identify pollution hotspots and direct resources to areas with the worst pollution is relevant to Target 11.6 of SDG 11. Finally, the integration of low-cost air quality sensors into national policies and strategies corresponds to Target 13.2 of SDG 13.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution
- Number of low-cost air quality sensors deployed
- Air quality index in cities
- Integration of low-cost air quality sensors into national climate change policies and strategies
The article mentions the importance of low-cost air quality sensors in reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution. Therefore, the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 3.9 of SDG 3. The article also highlights the increasing use of low-cost air sensors, indicating that the number of these sensors deployed can be an indicator of progress. Additionally, the air quality index in cities can be used to measure progress towards Target 11.6 of SDG 11. Finally, the integration of low-cost air quality sensors into national climate change policies and strategies can serve as an indicator for Target 13.2 of SDG 13.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution – Number of low-cost air quality sensors deployed |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Air quality index in cities – Number of low-cost air quality sensors deployed in cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | – Integration of low-cost air quality sensors into national climate change policies and strategies |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: epw.senate.gov
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