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Community Science Air Monitoring

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DEP monitors air pollution throughout New Jersey to protect public health and the environment

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Communities can now also monitor their own air quality, using portable and relatively affordable instruments. These “low-cost sensors” range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

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Use a low-cost sensor to:

Learn more about air pollution
Find local sources of pollution
Monitor hotspots
Collect data for your own research

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top”][vc_column width=”1/5″][info-box-shortcode title=”What’s the Best Approach to Using Low-Cost Sensors?” buttontitle=”Read more” buttonlink=”#bestapproach” class=”“vc_general” href=”“#helpfullinks“” data-vc-gradient-1=”“#8d6dc4“” bgimg=”822″][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/5″][info-box-shortcode title=”What Kinds of Low-Cost Sensors Are Available?” buttontitle=”Read more” buttonlink=”#availablesensors” bgimg=”452″][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/5″][info-box-shortcode title=”What Do My Sensor Readings Mean & What are Normal Levels?” buttontitle=”Read more” buttonlink=”#sensorreadings” bgimg=”451″][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/5″][info-box-shortcode title=”What Type of Low-Cost Sensor Project Works for You?” buttontitle=”Read more” buttonlink=”#sensorprojects” bgimg=”185″][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/5″][info-box-shortcode title=”Additional Resources” buttontitle=”Read more” buttonlink=”#additionalresources” bgimg=”668″][/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_id=”bestapproach”]

What’s the Best Approach to Using Low-Cost Sensors?

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Before choosing a project type and low-cost sensor, first identify:

The air pollution issue that concerns you
The field conditions you are likely to encounter
The length of time you should collect data
The potential quality of these measurements

Use the information above to develop a question or goal that air monitoring can help to answer.

Here are a few examples:

How can I teach my students about air quality and integrate hands-on data collection into the lesson plan?
What is my exposure to air pollution during my usual walking route?
Are pollutant levels higher near a source in my neighborhood?

[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][info-box-shortcode title=”What Pollutants Do You Want to Measure?” bgimg=”501″]To get the sensor that will fit your needs, you have to decide on a target pollutant or pollutants. In other words, what should your low-cost sensor be able to measure?

Some pollutants can be found in the air everywhere, such as the ones that NJDEP monitors:

Ozone (O₃)
Particulate matter (PM_2.5)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
Carbon monoxide (CO)

These criteria pollutants have National Ambient Air Quality Standards that are set at levels protective of human health and the environment.

Other pollutants may not be routinely monitored, and may even be difficult to measure. Some can have local impacts when they are emitted by nearby facilities or mobile sources (cars, buses or trucks).

Learn more about air toxics.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_id=”availablesensors”]

What Kinds of Low-Cost Sensors Are Available?

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1250″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1681234467815{margin-top: 35px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1681231464738{padding: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1722962212005{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”]Low-cost sensors range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, while regulatory monitors like those used by NJDEP can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some give results in actual concentrations, some use a yes/no light to indicate the presence of a pollutant, and others use a color code to indicate whether levels are of concern. The sensor you select should be able to collect data that will answer your questions.

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU SELECT THE APPROPRIATE LOW-COST SENSORS

USEPA Air Sensor Toolbox for Citizen Scientists, Researchers and Developers
USEPA Air Sensor Educational Video Series
South Coast [CA] Air Quality Management District Resources:

SENSORS AVAILABLE FROM NJDEP

NJDEP has a limited number of low-cost sensors that community groups can borrow. Contact the Bureau of Air Monitoring at bamweb@deptest.nj.gov about what is currently available.
For an example of how sensors can be used for a classroom project, see the Student Air Monitoring Project.

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What Kind of Funding Assistance is Available?

Funding is sometimes made available by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) or other public health agencies for community groups to carry out studies using low-cost sensors. The funding may require partnering with a university or state agency.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-hand-holding-usd” color=”black” size=”xl”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column el_id=”sensorreadings”][vc_column_text]

What Do My Sensor Readings Mean & What Are Normal Levels?

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1/2″][info-box-shortcode]The following sources can help you understand different levels of air pollution:

USEPA Guidance on Air Sensor Readings
Current Air Quality Levels
Current NJ Monitor Readings – Click on the map for the most recent 1-hour average value for specific pollutants. Longer-term values can be found in the annual Air Quality Report.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) – NAAQS are set at a level that is protective of public health and the environment. Click on a pollutant in the table to access information on health effects. States operate monitoring networks like the one run by NJDEP to determine whether the NAAQS are being met.

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What Type of Low-Cost Sensor Project Works for You?

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1681140734423{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: rgba(195,158,226,0.35) !important;*background-color: rgb(195,158,226) !important;border-left-color: rgba(187,136,226,0.35) !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: rgba(187,136,226,0.35) !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: rgba(187,136,226,0.35) !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: rgba(187,136,226,0.35) !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}”]

Read through the 4 project descriptions here before deciding which type of project you’d like to do.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1722962320242{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”]NJDEP has developed technical guidance for four types of low-cost sensor projects. After reading through the project descriptions, use the table below to link to guidance documents that will help you develop and carry out that specific type of project.

Contact the Bureau of Air Monitoring at bamweb@deptest.nj.gov if you have questions about doing a community science project.

Also see the “Additional Resources” below.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Guidance for 4 Types of Low-Cost Air Sensor Projects

Type	Purpose	Description	LeveL of Effort
1	General Information and Education	Sensors indicate the presence or absence of pollutants, or relative quantities, with indicator lights or color coding.	Low
2	Personal Exposure Monitoring Individual Group	Wearable sensors measure air pollution that individuals are exposed to during their daily routines.	Medium-High
3	Supplementary Network Monitoring	Sensors are placed in an area where the regulatory network is lacking to better understand air quality in those locations.	Medium-High
4	Hotspot Identification and Characterization	A cluster of sensors is placed downwind of or around a source to identify its potential air pollution impacts.	High

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Current Projects

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2025-2027 Mobile Air Monitoring Project Officially Underway!

February 10, 2026

The mobile air monitoring project aims to identify air pollution sources in overburdened communities by connecting real-time air measurements with real-time locational data. Measurements of air toxics and criteria pollutants will be collected via a mobile van containing air monitoring equipment. Bureau of Air Monitoring is partnering with local environmental community groups in Waterfront South Camden, Elizabeth, and South Ward and Ironbound, Newark.

For more information about the project and any upcoming events or announcements, visit our project website![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Mobile Air Project Website” color=”peacoc” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fairmon%2Fmobile-air-monitoring-project%2F|title:Mobile%20Air%20Monitoring%20Project|target:_blank”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-cloud” add_icon=”true” title=”Trenton Community Air Project” tab_id=”1742832716461-7070c78e-ebca”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760988728024{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}”]

Trenton Community Air Project

March 24, 2025

Check out our latest air quality community project using low-cost air sensors. This project was conducted in Trenton using PurpleAir sensors from 2022-2024 in partnership with NJDEP, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), and the City of Trenton. Here you can find the results of this study that were presented to DVRPC at their most recent monthly meeting.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Trenton Project Presentation” color=”turquoise” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fairmon%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F96%2Fdvrpc-presentation-3-11-25.pdf|target:_blank”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-server” add_icon=”true” title=”PurpleAir Data Processing App” tab_id=”1735670730170-f69c142d-b5a0″ el_class=”bg-white”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760988707988{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}”]

PurpleAir SD card data processing available now!

This R Shiny app merges PurpleAir SD card data into one file in a .csv format for comparison to other PM2.5 instruments.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Download PurpleAir Data Merger” color=”blue” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2FSebAire%2FPurple-Air-Data-Merger|target:_blank”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Additional Resources

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