Houston, we have a solar powered air quality station

A solar powered air monitoring station has been opened in Houston, Texas. The community project is the eighth ‘Village Green Station’ in the US and aims to demonstrate the capabilities […]

A solar powered air monitoring station has been opened in Houston, Texas.

The community project is the eighth ‘Village Green Station’ in the US and aims to demonstrate the capabilities of new real-time monitoring technology for citizens and scientists to learn more about local air quality.

It has been provided by the City of Houston’s Health Department, John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

It is fitted into a park bench made from recycled materials and will track levels of ozone, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, black carbon and nitrogen dioxide, many of which are harmful to human health.

The station collects minute-by-minute air quality and weather data and shows them on a nearby display and on a public webpage. The data is also collected for research and educational purposes.

Stephen L. Williams, Director of the Houston Health Department, said: “Houston has more air monitors than any other city in the country but they are on top of research trailers closed to the public.

“The Village Green bench will stream real-time measurements of air pollution and give visitors opportunities to learn about the importance of clean air and ways to reduce air pollutants.”

Britain’s air quality has been rated among the worst in Europe.

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