Citizen scientists sought for air pollution monitoring study in Dublin

One thousand Dublin-based citizen scientists are being sought to take part in an air pollution monitoring study run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and An Taisce.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a pollutant that can have a very harmful effect on human hearts and lungs, and it is particularly prevalent in urban settings. It comes mainly from from cars, vans and trucks. Being exposed to NO2 gas, even for short periods, can have harmful effects on health and wellbeing.

EPA monitoring and computer modelling has already shown that in some urban areas NO2 pollution is increasing.

The EPA and An Taisce said the monitoring project – called Clean Air Together – will increase vigilance about increasing NO2 levels, particularly from transport in urban centres when the economy grows.

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While the EPA and Dublin City Council have some monitoring stations across the capital, the citizen science approach represents a very significant study in terms of gathering data on the problem in Dublin city and county.

The sampling will be carried out over October and November this year and applications from potential participants should be made online at the project website.

‘Serious health risk’

According to EPA senior scientist Stephanie Long, “ four out of every five people in Ireland believe that air pollution is a serious health risk, and two thirds of us think that it is a serious national problem.

“By taking part in the Clean Air Together project you will know your NO2. You will measure how much nitrogen dioxide is in your local area and your measurement – together with all of the other data collected – will give us a detailed picture of air quality in the city, ” she said.

Participants do not need to be an expert and, once registered and selected, participants will receive a pack in the post containing a small tube. The pack will also include simple instructions for installing the tube outside a home or business, and how to register it online.

The 1,000 tubes will be installed on Friday, October 8th, and left in place for four weeks. After the four weeks, participants will post the tube back to the EPA free of charge. The tube will be sent for analysis and participants will get a copy of the results once it has been analysed.

‘Great opportunity’

Anthony Purcell from An Taisce said the project was a “great opportunity for people from all communities and backgrounds in Dublin to become citizen scientists” . The small tube for measuring NO2 is no bigger than the size of a crayon and is simple to set up. While small, this tube can gather impressive information; the data from this project will promote positive changes towards better air quality in Dublin and inform public policy and action, he said.

All the results from this project will be mapped on the Clean Air Together website to allow comparison of results across Dublin city and county. The results will then be combined with existing EPA air quality results to give a better picture of air quality in Dublin.

While the project is the first of its kind in Ireland, it is inspired by a similar citizen science air pollution campaign in Belgium called Curious Noses (CurieuzeNeuzen). This was Europe’s largest air pollution measurement project. Curious Noses was seen as a great success, with meaningful impacts for citizens, the scientific community and Belgian public-policy alike.

Further information on citizen science and air pollution in Ireland is available on the EPA website.