SLP Grant Subpage

Empowering Community-based Air Quality Monitoring through the South Coast AQMD Sensor Library Program (U.S. EPA Grant 5X-98T58401-0)

South Coast AQMD was awarded a U.S. EPA grant to expand a Sensor Library Program. This grant will also enhance air monitoring in Southern California communities using community, government, and academic partnerships to deploy sensors to reflect community concerns. The data can inform community-led action plans to reduce local pollutant emissions, exposures, and negative health outcomes from air pollution. Sensor deployments in various community groups commenced in 2025 and are ongoing.

The project activities will be guided by three objectives:

Enhance and expand South Coast AQMD's existing pilot Sensor Library

Loaning out 56 devices, containing 97 sensors that measure pollutants the community cares about, like PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, O₃, and VOC

Engage communities to improve local air quality

Partnering with 4 community groups to deploy sensors in their neighborhood, conduct workshops, tell their story, and develop action plans

Empower students with STEM learning opportunities in air quality

Giving students hands-on experience installing, deploying, and maintaining sensors, as well as analyzing sensor data and presenting to community members

Cal State University Northridge students show-and-tell a sensor at a community event in the San Fernando Valley

Community Partners in the Sensor Library Program

Pacoima

Community monitoring led by Pacoima Beautiful

Pomona

Community monitoring led by Day One

Riverside

Community monitoring led by the Community Air Board and UC Riverside

Vista Hermosa

Community monitoring led by Vista Hermosa Heights Community Group

Borrowing a Device

Sensors purchased under this grant are primarily available for loan to the four Project Areas, in coordination with the Community Partners. These sensors may eventually be available for loan to people in the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction. All potential borrowers must submit a completed Sensor Loan Form to AQ-SPEC staff to borrow a sensor. Borrowers must submit 3 photos of the proposed deployment site to show the surrounding area and the location of the power outlet relative to the sensor. Borrowers must also confirm the Wi-Fi signal strength is not weak at the proposed installation location for sensors requiring a Wi-Fi connection.

signal_strength_graphic

Sensor Data

Calibrated data from air quality sensors in the Sensor Library Program can be viewed, compared, and downloaded via the JustAir dashboard:

Sensor Inventory

The available sensors were selected with input by Community Partners. Inclusion of a product in the Sensor Library Program does not constitute South Coast AQMD endorsement or recommendation for use.

Name	Quantity	Pollutants Measured	Features	How is it used?
Aeroqual AQY-R	12	PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, NO₂	Not portable	Sensor must be secured to a pole or wall, plugged into a 110v outlet, and connected to Wi-Fi
			No battery
			Measures particles
			Measures gases
			Data streams to web dashboard
Atmotube Pro	10	PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀	Portable	Sensor sends data to a mobile device via Bluetooth and data can be exported via the Atmotube app
			Battery
			Measures particles
			Data streams to mobile device via Bluetooth	GPS enabled
			Data streams to mobile device via Bluetooth	Not waterproof
A.U.G. Signals AirSENCE	2	PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, NO₂, CO	Not portable	Sensor must be secured to a pole or wall, plugged into a 110v outlet, and connected to Wi-Fi
			No battery
			Measures particles
			Measures gases
			Data streams to web dashboard
Davis Airlink	10	PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀	Not portable	Sensor must be secured to a pole or wall, plugged into a 110v outlet, and connected to Wi-Fi
			No battery
			Measures particles
			Data streams to web dashboard
Kunak Air Lite	4	PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, NO₂	Not portable	Sensor must be secured to a pole or wall, plugged into a 110v outlet
			Battery
			Measures particles
			Measures gases
			Data streams to web dashboard
QuantAQ MODULAIR- PM	5	PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀	Not portable	Sensor must be secured to a pole or wall, plugged into a 110v outlet
			No battery
			Measures particles
			Data streams to web dashboard
Sensit SPOD	3	PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, tVOC	Not portable	Sensor must be secured to a pole or wall, plugged into a 110v outlet (solar powered option available)
			Battery
			Measures particles
			Measures gases
			Data streams to web dashboard
Temtop LKC-1000S+	10	PM_2.5, PM₁₀	Portable	Sensor can be used as a portable handheld device
			Battery	Sensor can be used as a portable handheld device
			Measures particles	Not waterproof
			Data downloadable via USB	Not waterproof

Project Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

What can sensor data be used for?

Sensor data should only be used for educational purposes. Sensor data collected as part of the Sensor Library Program is not intended or approved for source identification, commercial, or legal purposes. Federally-approved methods, considered the “gold standard” in air quality data, are expensive to run and therefore impractical to have dense networks of them. Air sensors are lower cost than federally-approved methods which allows more sensors to be deployed in dense networks. Sensors are not held to the same quality standards as federally-approved instruments.

How long will these sensors be in the community?

The sensors and dashboard were made possible by funding from a U.S. EPA Inflation Reduction Act grant awarded to South Coast AQMD to expand a pilot sensor library program. This grant has a current ending date of April 30, 2026.

What is the goal of collecting this sensor data?

The sensor data will be analyzed so that Community Partners can develop a Community Action Plan. This plan will contain locally relevant, community-based strategies to try to reduce emissions or exposure based on sensor measurements.

How were the sensor locations chosen?

The Community Partners collected feedback from the public at workshops and meetings to hear about where they would like sensors installed. Factors that were considered include: logistics, site access permissions, security, and availability of power and Wi-Fi, among other factors to determine suitable sensor sites.

How can I get involved?

Please reach out to the Community Partners directly and attend future community workshops for this project.

Why do the sensor values appear to be different from those on South Coast AQMD’s Air Quality Index (AQI) map?

The South Coast AQMD AQI map primarily uses monitoring data from federally-approved instruments at air monitoring stations that are regularly maintained, calibrated, and checked for quality by a team of air quality experts. The monitoring data is then used to calculate an index value to represent the overall air quality for the public. In contrast, the sensor measurements report concentrations of a pollutant. The South Coast AQMD AQI map also considers additional pollutants that are not measured by air sensors. For more information please visit https://www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/current-air-quality-data/aqi-information-and-faqs.

Does South Coast AQMD/AQ-SPEC lend sensors to interested entities?

AQ-SPEC is currently expanding the Sensor Library Program with four communities within the South Coast Air Basin. Sensors purchased under this grant are primarily available for loan to the four Project Areas, but may eventually be available for loan anyone in the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction. We also have other sensors available for loan that are not part of this grant. For further information please contact info.aq-spec@aqmd.gov.

Do you have air quality lessons/resources for teachers?

Please reach out to the South Coast AQMD’s WHAM and CAPES programs for resources for K-12 students.

Disclaimer

Loaned equipment is to be used for environmental educational/informational purposes only. Loans do not constitute the endorsement of a commercial product by South Coast AQMD. This equipment is not intended or approved for source identification, regulatory, commercial, or legal purposes.