Guidebook for Developing a Community Air Monitoring Network

This guidebook walks community groups through building a particulate-matter air monitoring network, drawing on the Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Project. Tracking California, Comite Civico del Valle and the University of Washington built a 40-monitor network in Imperial County, where residents face windborne dust, agricultural burning, border traffic and only five regulatory monitors across more than 4,400 square miles. It covers forming a project team, engaging residents and stakeholders, choosing low-cost sensors, setting up data systems and quality control, selecting monitor sites, and sustaining the network long term.