Campus Indoor Air Quality Real-Time Data

Air pollution from wildfire smoke is a silent and deadly assailant, accounting for approximately 15,300 premature deaths each year, according to the Government of Canada [1]. Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can become trapped in our lungs, leading to serious and chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. With climate change causing record-high temperatures and more frequent and severe wildfires, communities like the UofA campus are experiencing a decline in air quality. This poses a significant risk to the health of individuals who live and work in the area.

The main objective of our project is to better understand how air pollutants from wildfire smoke affect indoor air quality throughout campus. To do this, we have deployed sensors in multiple buildings across campus that collect data about important air quality parameters such as the concentration of fine particulate matter (discussed below). The data from these sensors will help building operators develop strategies specific for each building, aimed at mitigating the harmful effects of wildfire air pollutants indoors.