Sign up for the MARC Air Quality Sensor Program

The Mid-America Regional Council Air Quality Program is seeking hosts to participate in a low-cost air quality sensor program that initially came about through a collaboration with KC Digital Drive and US Ignite.

“Expanding the regional low-cost sensor network will increase availability of air quality data and provide localized information for making decisions about personal health,” said Karen Clawson, MARC’s Air and Mobility Programs manager.

The sensors will provide real-time data on particulate matter pollution in the region. This pollution is emitted locally but can also come from wildfire smoke outside of our region. Increased wildfire and local pollution have become an increasing concern for residents over the last few years.

Clawson said MARC purchased 24 air sensors to add to the network of sensors that KC Digital Drive deployed over the last three years. The sensors are located at houses and are connected to the home’s Wi-Fi. There are also sensors at three Kansas City Public Library locations.

Who can host?

Interested residents must be located within the nine-county MARC region. Renters and non-homeowners are welcome to join, but consent from a landlord or homeowner is required. Sensor hosts are asked to maintain and keep their sensors online for three years.

To host a sensor, you will need a stable Wi-Fi connection, a sheltered area for the sensor such as an eave, an outdoor power source and a smartphone. The MARC Air Quality program will provide an installation guide for mounting the sensor and connecting to Wi-Fi and the data tracking system.

There is no up-front cost to join the sensor program; however, the host will cover the charges associated with being connected to the outdoor power source. Each sensor consumes approximately 1.5 watts. The total electricity cost to the host will vary based on location but is estimated to cost less than 1 cent per month. Hosts will be expected to check on the sensor to help ensure dust, leaves or other objects are not blocking the readings. 
“The more air quality sensors we have in the region, the better our data – and our ability to alert the public to air quality concerns,” said Doug Norsby, MARC Air Quality Program senior planner. Norsby said the information from the sensors can also be used by news outlets to help alert the public about air quality. 

Anyone interested in being a host can sign up online.