About the Project
A little bit about why I am trying to map the air quality of my neighbourhood one street and alleyway at a time.
But Why?
Currently, no National Environmental Standard for Air Quality (NESAQ) is set for PM2.5.
The 2.5 Project aims to capture and analyse air quality information in one of the most economically deprived suburbs in NZ to demonstrate the ongoing environmental and social impacts on the local community and empower local residents and especially the younger generation with with the data and information they need to continue making positive environmental impacts.
Why it is important
Short- and long-term exposure to PM2.5, even at low levels, is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and increased risk of premature death, especially in vulnerable people (the young, the elderly, and people with respiratory illness). Emerging evidence points to possible links with cognitive function, neuro-development, and diabetes.
In New Zealand, most PM2.5 in the air results from combustion (for example, burning wood for home heating), and to a lesser extent, from reactions in the atmosphere (secondary PM), and from naturally occurring sea salt.
That's cool. Tell me how?
Science is fun, cool, and exciting. In that spirit, I'll not only capturing air quality data through fixed instruments constantly monitoring things close to home. I'll also be mapping every street and alley while I run with a portable wearable air quality device from the cool folks over at Plume Labs.
Every experiment needs excellent equipment.
Check out the items I can't live or do this without below.
