Air quality sensors to be installed in Nakuru to track pollution
Efforts to monitor air quality in Nakuru have received a major boost through a project initiated by scholars from Egerton University that is installing air quality monitors in frequently visited places that are prone to pollution.
The monitors powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) will provide real-time data on the quality of air that people breathe, before experts can analyse it and give advice accordingly.
Installation of the machines through the initiative dubbed “Quality of Air Research in Nakuru Project,” spearheaded by Environmental Health Prof. Wilkister Moturi is being supported by the Flanders Government in Belgium under the Spira air quality management initiative.
Prof. Moturi who is also the project’s Principal Investigator explained that they are installing sensors in various parts of Nakuru’s Central Business District that employ Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) predictive modeling which by analyzing historical data alongside current environmental conditions the AI models could forecast pollution levels with remarkable accuracy.
She stated that these predictions would help scientists and policymakers to anticipate air pollution trends before they occur.
“Additionally, AI identifies patterns and correlations that might otherwise be overlooked, predicts pollution hotspots, and enables cities to take preventive measures to mitigate poor air quality. With early warnings in place, individuals with respiratory conditions can plan their activities accordingly, thereby reducing exposure to harmful pollutants,” Prof. Moturi noted.
Citizen Science
She explained that the project has incorporated a “Citizen Science” approach by empowering communities to actively participate in monitoring air pollution and improving public awareness.
“Citizen science revolves around educating communities about air quality issues, the health impacts of pollution, and ways to reduce pollution. By actively engaging in data collection, communities become more aware of air quality problems, identify pollution sources and potentially lobby decision-makers for solutions and can take ownership in addressing them,” indicated Prof. Moturi.
Through the initiative, they are also using satellite data to enable more accurate, real-time data analysis and forecasting. This allows for better public reporting, informs decision-making, and improves air quality awareness.
The Principal Investigator stated that beyond monitoring and prediction, the AI powered air quality monitor would also assist governments and organizations in implementing more effective pollution control strategies.
She noted that many smart city initiatives were now incorporating AI to dynamically adjust environmental regulations in response to fluctuating pollution levels, improving urban air quality in the process.
Prof. Moturi disclosed that they had conducted sensitization workshops on air quality for over 100 stakeholders involved in the project from diverse sectors including the civil society, Community based Organizations, Youth groups, environmental lobby groups, County government of Nakuru and Egerton University researchers among others.
“We are training the people on the ground to associate with whatever is happening in their environment with regard to air quality to help them understand that some of the activities that may be ongoing and some of the outcomes relate to air quality, especially when it comes to health,” she elaborated.
Prof. Moturi said the participants were being equipped with skills to identify activities that pollute the air and how they can minimise the menace.
The “Quality of Air Research in Nakuru Project” comes a year after Nakuru County Government in another big step in its air quality efforts unveiled air quality sensors in public places, learning institutions and shopping malls in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).
Installation
As part of the City Health and Wellbeing (Chew) programme to measure and analyze air quality at public places around the devolved unit, the County Government installed the sensors at the Nakuru Girls High school, Nakuru Level 5 Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nyayo Garden, Nakuru Athletics Club (NAC) and ten shopping malls.
Prof. Moturi indicated that the sensors would not only enable researchers to collect and analyse more data on the impact of air pollution on members of the public, but also inform mitigation actions.
“The air quality sensor network monitors capture particular matter of air including dust, smoke, soot as well as gases within the air and analyses them before providing online information on quality of air, main pollutant and weather condition of a particular place while giving advisory on what actions to be taken as well as places to avoid for persons with sensitive respiratory conditions,” the Don explained.
Installation of air quality monitoring devices, Prof. Moturi noted, was a game changer because it is often difficult for authorities to pinpoint pollution sources and trends to develop effective solutions.
“Conventional air pollution management commonly relies on a few reference stations that are expensive and difficult to operate, and in mathematical modelling with high uncertainty,” Prof. Moturi said.
While noting that air pollution is a silent killer affecting the health of communities, plants, animals and the environment, the Principal Investigator said the project purposes to formulate a long term solution for accessing air quality data which helps to identify the various threats that cause air pollution within the city, raising awareness and helping to improve air quality.
Air quality sensors work on the principle of measuring the reduction of infrared radiation in the air. The signal from the infrared detector is further amplified and then the attenuation of the radiation caused by the collision with carbon dioxide is analyzed.
The more carbon dioxide, the more the infrared radiation is attenuated.
