New York City is known for its hustle and bustle, but with all that activity comes pollution. Fortunately, the city is taking steps to monitor and reduce its environmental impact. One way it’s doing this is through the use of environmental sensors that measure various pollutants in the air, water, and soil. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of using sensor data to improve NYC’s air quality and how the city is leveraging this information.

What are environmental sensors?

Environmental sensors are devices that measure and monitor various environmental factors, such as air quality, soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and more. In NYC, there are numerous sensors deployed throughout the city, measuring everything from particulate matter to ozone levels. The data collected by these sensors is then used by city officials to make informed decisions about environmental policy and improve public health.

What are some examples of environmental sensor data networks in NYC?

Some examples of government-operated environmental sensor networks in New York City include:

• Air Quality: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) maintains a network of air quality sensors throughout the state, including numerous sensors in NYC. These sensors measure levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
• Water Quality: The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) operates a network of sensors that measure water quality in NYC’s rivers, harbors, and streams. These sensors measure parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
• Noise: The NYC Department of Environmental Protection operates a network of noise sensors throughout the city. These sensors measure sound levels and help the city identify noise hotspots.

There are also a number of private organizations that operate environmental sensor networks in New York City. These organizations include:

• ​​Plume Labs specializes in air quality monitoring. They offer a mobile app that provides real-time air quality data for locations around the world, including NYC. The app uses data from a combination of sources, including public sensors, satellite imagery, and weather data, to provide users with up-to-date air quality information.
• PurpleAir is a company that produces low-cost air quality sensors that can be used by individuals and organizations. There are numerous PurpleAir sensors installed throughout NYC, providing data on particulate matter levels.
• BlocPower specializes in energy efficiency and building electrification. They use environmental sensor data to identify buildings that are particularly energy inefficient and to develop customized solutions to reduce their energy consumption.
• BreezoMeter is a company that provides real-time air quality data for locations around the world, including NYC. They use data from a variety of sources, including public sensors, traffic data, and satellite imagery, to provide users with up-to-date air quality information.
• Temboo — that’s us! We work with organizations to deploy environmental sensors for air quality, soil moisture, and water quality, both in NYC and beyond.

What are some applications of environmental sensor data?

Air quality is a particular concern in NYC, where vehicle emissions and other sources of pollution contribute to poor air quality. To address this issue, the city has implemented a program called the Clean Heat initiative, which aims to reduce the amount of particulate matter in the air by phasing out heavy heating oils. Environmental sensor data is used to track the effectiveness of this initiative, as well as to identify areas of the city that are most affected by poor air quality.

Another way that environmental sensor data is being used in NYC is through the development of air quality forecasts. By analyzing historical sensor data and combining it with weather data and other factors, researchers are able to predict future air quality levels. This information can be used to inform public health warnings and help people plan their activities around days when air quality is expected to be poor.

Finally, environmental sensor data is being used to inform urban planning decisions. By analyzing the data collected by sensors, city officials can identify areas of the city that are most affected by pollution and take steps to mitigate it. For example, they might decide to plant more trees or build green roofs in areas with high levels of air pollution.

Why is collecting environmental sensor data important?

The data collected by these networks is used by a variety of stakeholders, including the city government, researchers, and the public. The city government uses the data to develop and implement air quality and noise pollution control programs. Researchers use the data to study the effects of environmental pollution on health and the environment. The public uses the data to make informed decisions about their health and the environment.

Environmental sensor data is a powerful tool that can be used to improve public health and reduce the environmental impact of cities like NYC. By collecting and analyzing data from sensors deployed throughout the city, officials can make informed decisions about environmental policy, forecast air quality levels, and identify areas of the city that are most affected by pollution. As the technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of environmental sensor data in the future.

If you’re interested in collecting environmental sensor data and keeping your community informed, please contact us to learn how Temboo can help you!