This is a citizen science + art initiative to monitor and visualize dangerous levels of black carbon air pollution to protect public health and combat climate change.
What is
Black Carbon
Air Pollution?
Black Carbon (BC) is a fine particulate air pollutant produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and forest fires.
Health Impacts
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Diseases: BC particles are tiny enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to increased risks of asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues.
Premature Deaths: Exposure to BC is associated with millions of premature deaths annually worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that black carbon air pollution causes several million annual deaths worldwide. WHO description of air pollution
Climate Impacts
Atmospheric Warming: BC strongly absorbs sunlight, converting it into heat, thus warming the atmosphere.
Albedo Reduction: When deposited on snow and ice, BC reduces their reflectivity (albedo), accelerating melting and contributing to sea-level rise.
Short Atmospheric Lifespan: Unlike CO₂, which remains in the atmosphere for centuries, BC stays for only days to weeks. This means reducing BC emissions can yield immediate climate benefits.
What we do
Our interdisciplinary research team from electrical engineering, atmospheric science, and digital media is taking ambitious steps to tackle the invisible threat of black carbon pollution by:
Developing Cutting-Edge Sensors: Creating wearable sensors using laser-induced graphene (LIG), a groundbreaking material capable of specifically isolating and quantifying BC particles.
Citizen Science and Wearables My Air Wear and AtmoSpheres: Partnering with citizen volunteers who will use wearable devices designed to collect real-time, geolocated data on BC pollution levels throughout Toronto, Canada.
Public Data Platform We Are Air Aware: Establishing an online map of the collected data, highlighting exactly when and where pollution hotspots occur. Our aim is to make the when and where of BC air pollution publicly accessible to all.
Exhibition and Engagement: Hosting public data collection walks and exhibitions to educate communities, foster social engagement, and encourage collective action toward cleaner air policies and practices.
We're aiming to empower citizen scientists - enabling the visualization of BC air pollution data as they move throughout their neighborhoods, drive informed policy changes, and foster a healthier, cleaner environment for all!
We invite you to join us in building a cleaner, healthier future. To learn more and get involved, contact us below. Together, we can make the invisible threat visible.
