Scientists have adapted experimental particle physics methods to monitor air quality in real time in South Africa. The system, called AI_r, combines a network of low-cost sensors in pollution hotspots with Internet of Things technology and artificial intelligence. The developers say this removes the need for expensive air quality monitoring infrastructure.
Air pollution is a major global health risk. The World Health Organization estimates it kills almost 7 million people every year and that 89 per cent of these deaths are in low- and middle-income countries. The World Bank finds poor health from outdoor air pollution costs up to US$6 trillion every year. Bruce Mellado, lead researcher of the South African Consortium of Air Quality Monitoring and a member of the CERN team that discovered the Higgs boson, said air quality now kills more people in Africa than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis.
The first deployment of AI_r began over a year ago as a small pilot. Several sensors were placed in schools in Soweto and the pilot showed how local pollution spikes can travel across a city. Mellado noted that a single burn can affect air quality as far as ten kilometres away. The project now plans a dense, real-time map: over the next year 500 sensors will be placed across Sedibeng, an area home to around 1 million people. The team has government support and received the ODESS prize to be presented in October, but further funding is needed to develop a continental approach.
Difficult words
- pollution — Harmful substances in the air or environment.pollution levels, pollution map
- monitor — To watch and check something regularly.monitoring, monitoring systems
- air quality — A measure of how clean or polluted the air is.air quality issues, air quality in
- innovative — Introducing new ideas or methods.
- researcher — A person who studies a topic in depth.lead researcher
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Discussion questions
- In what ways could improved air quality benefit communities?
- What challenges might researchers face in monitoring air quality?
- How can technology help reduce pollution levels?
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