LingVo.club
📖+10 XP
🎧+10 XP
+15 XP
AI and low-cost sensors map air pollution in South Africa — Level A1 — aerial view of city near body of water during daytime

AI and low-cost sensors map air pollution in South AfricaCEFR A1

9 Sept 2025

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
67 words
  • Scientists use particle physics methods to monitor air quality.
  • The system is called AI_r and uses artificial intelligence.
  • Many low-cost sensors sit in pollution hotspots.
  • A first pilot started over a year ago.
  • Sensors were placed in schools in Soweto.
  • One open burn can affect air ten kilometres away.
  • Next year 500 sensors will go to Sedibeng district.
  • The project has support from governments and CERN.

Difficult words

  • pollutionharmful substances in the air.
    pollution hotspots, air pollution
  • measureto find the size or amount.
  • technologyscientific tools and methods.
  • monitorto observe or check something.

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • What do you think about air pollution?
  • How can technology help fight pollution?
  • Why is it important to monitor air quality?

Related articles

How mangroves survive saltwater — Level A1
24 Dec 2025

How mangroves survive saltwater

Scientists studied mangrove trees to learn why some plants tolerate repeated saltwater flooding. They found small cells and thicker cell walls help mangroves stay strong in salty, waterlogged conditions and suggest this could help make crops more salt-tolerant.