AirSense: Empowering communities through PM monitoring - Utah Department of Environmental Quality

We want to learn more about the air pollution in underserved neighborhoods on the west side of Salt Lake Valley. To do this, we’re using affordable air quality sensors in those areas to measure levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particles.

We are developing air quality maps and alerts to provide instant, local air quality information. Interested community members can get involved and will be compensated for their time. Community input will also help inform air quality sensors’ placement. Outreach modules on particulate pollution and its impact on local air quality will also be available for use by educators and other interested community members.

This project will be completed in May 2026 and updates will be shared here and in the WestSide AirSense newsletter.

Our other neighborhood air projects

Participate

Attend community events: Hear project updates and provide feedback at our public events. Check the list of events below.
Join focus groups: Share your thoughts on air quality in your community in a small group setting. Community members who give their time will be compensated! Sign up for the newsletter to be alerted.

Stay informed

New! Sign up for west side air quality alerts: Get free email alerts when particle pollution is elevated in Salt Lake County’s west side neighborhoods: Poplar Grove (84104), Glendale (84104), Westpointe (84116), Rose Park (84116), Fairpark (84116), Beck Street (84116), Magna (84044), and West Valley (84128 & 84120).
Subscribe to our newsletter: Receive periodic email updates on project milestones, events, and outcomes.

Upcoming community events

During these events, we will provide an overview of our project, opportunities for community engagement, and air quality tools.

Nov. 19-20 – Salt Lake County Watershed Symposium

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 West 3100 South West Valley City, UT 84119
Free & open to all
The Watershed Symposium encourages a comprehensive review of the current state of our watershed while creating learning and networking opportunities for a broad array of stakeholders. Together we’ll continue the important conversations on watershed issues in our region.
Lunch and snacks are included with registration
Register here

Project background

The Salt Lake Valley is facing increasing air quality burdens associated with its rapidly growing population, the development of the Utah Inland Port, increasing transportation emissions, gravel operations, drying of the Great Salt Lake, and more frequent wildfire events. Because of their proximity to these air pollution sources, westside communities in the Salt Lake Valley are disproportionately affected by particle pollution.

Partnerships

Through close partnership with FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake, Utah Clean Cities, the University of Utah, the Salt Lake County Health Department, and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, we will enhance PM2.5 and PM10 monitoring in underserved westside communities.

Building a foundation of trust with impacted westside communities by

Providing reliable, transparent, localized, real-time PM2.5 and PM10 measurements
Providing timely access to air quality information through air quality alerts and maps
Increasing awareness about PM2.5 and PM10 air quality challenges
Translating findings into mitigation actions

Three project components

Sensor deployment

10 PM10 and 36 PM2.5 low-cost AirU sensors (University of Utah/Tellus Inc.) will provide near real-time measurements in westside communities, with focus on areas of concern identified through community engagement activities.

Air quality alerts and maps

Using location-specific PM sensor measurements, community members can view real-time air quality maps and/or sign up for location-specific air quality alerts.

Community engagement

Throughout the project, community members and partners will guide the project design, sensor siting, data collection, presentation of results, outreach activities, and target mitigation strategies. This will be done through a series of engagement activities:

Community Steering Committee
Survey distribution
Community events and presentations
Focus groups and listening sessions
Educational modules
Sensor hosting and training events

Do you live in an impacted community?

View the Map Fullscreen

Transparent and increased access to air quality information

Real-time, accurate and localized PM2.5 and PM10 measurements will be available in underserved westside communities through maps and instant air-quality alerts.

Watch this video (7:07) to learn how to read the AirView air quality map and understand what the data means for your community, with examples from wildfires, dust, and temperature inversion.

Educational modules

Activity-centered teaching modules with detailed lesson plans on particulate pollution and its impact on local air quality and health will be developed to increase community awareness about local air quality challenges. School instructors can use these modules in the classroom when teaching about air quality and the Great Salt Lake.

If you are interested in a facilitator to lead an educational activity for your students or community group, please contact [email protected].

Equitable community steering committee

A steering committee with equitable community representation and shared decision-making power will be developed.

Action plans

Public health recommendations for reducing exposure to particulate pollution on the individual and community level will be provided. For instance, outdoor school recess guidelines will be examined, and information on air pollution “hotspots” will be used to inform regulatory efforts (e.g. siting of permanent monitoring stations, compliance action).

WestSide AirSense: Empowering communities through enhanced PM monitoring

Get involved

About the project

Outcomes & resources