The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a one-year air quality study in Kansas City, KS in October 2017. Researchers are using new mobile monitoring technology to collect data on air pollution from highways, railways and nearby industry in three neighborhoods. This includes an electric mobile measurement vehicle equipped with instruments to measure fine particulate matter, black carbon and nitrogen dioxide. Residents are also participating through a citizen science project, walking or biking with portable air monitors to collect additional data on particle pollution and environmental conditions. The goal of the study is to provide more detailed air quality information to the community and advance monitoring techniques useful for other areas.

1. New Measurement Technology
Helps Community Learn About
Air Quality

2. Kansas City Transportation and Local Scale Air
Quality Study (KC-TRAQS)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
launched an air measurement study in
Kansas City, KS, in October 2017 to give
residents in three neighborhoods more
information on air pollution emitted from
nearby highways, railways and industry.
For one year, researchers are collecting
data from new measurement technology
developed in the lab and working with
residents on a citizen science project.
Study area map in Kansas City, KS.

3. From left: Sue Kimbrough, Parik Deshmukh and Richard Baldauf at EPA’s research
labs in North Carolina are members of a team getting a mobile measurement
vehicle ready for the study.

4. Batteries Ready
Researchers check out the electric
car’s batteries used to power the air
monitoring instruments and
onboard computers.

5. Plugging in for
Power
The mobile measurement car
is electric to prevent the
exhaust from the car
interfering with the collection
of air samples.

6. Air Sampling on the
Road
Tubes anchored to the outside of
the rear passenger windows of
the mobile measurement car
collect air samples and feed the
samples into air monitoring
equipment.

7. Back Seat
Monitoring
The mobile measurement
vehicle is retrofitted with
sophisticated air
monitoring instruments
that measure the air
pollutants black carbon
(BC), fine particulate matter
(PM 2.5), and Nitrogen
Dioxide (NO2).

8. Gold Standard
Measurements
The portable and integrated
samplers measure fine
particle pollution (PM 2.5).
These devices are
considered the gold
standard for particle
measurements. They are
being used in the study to
compare results from other
air sampling instruments.

9. Solar-Powered
Air Monitors
Solar-powered and low-cost
monitors (P-pods) measure
continuous fine particle
pollution (PM2.5 ), black
carbon, a component of
PM2.5, and meteorological
conditions. These monitors
can be packed up and
moved to various locations
in the study area.

10. Portable Monitors for Citizen
Scientists
The AirMapper is a prototype portable air
monitor that is being used by citizen
scientists in the study. Participants can
walk or ride a bicycle in the study area
with the AirMapper which measures
particle pollution, carbon dioxide (CO2),
and environmental conditions.

11. Wyandotte County, Kansas Commissioner
Angela Markley speaks at the open house in
Kansas City to announce the study.

12. Engaging Local
Students
Students visit the
fixed site monitor
and learn about the
study. They are
participating as
citizen scientists by
taking
measurements with
the AirMapper.

13. Study Supports Clean
Air for Communities
The study will provide air
quality information to the
community and advance air
monitoring technology for use
by other states and
communities.