EarthSense expands MappAir tool to include rest of the world

EarthSense has released a new version of its MappAir tool, which now includes hourly pollution levels of any city in the world, accurate to 10 metres.

MappAir now also provides hourly concentrations of five pollutants, adding ozone (O3_,), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particle matter (PM10) to its existing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particle matter (PM2.5) measures.

EarthSense incorporates a range of data sources into MappAir, including data from satellites, weather data, traffic counts, static sources and its own Zephyr air quality monitors.

It uses a modelling technique called computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which examines the flow and dispersion of air in built-up environments. It can then identify when and where pollution levels are at their highest and lowest. 

MappAir is validated against air quality data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), diffusion tubes, and their network of of EarthSense Zephyr air quality sensors.

EarthSense Head of Modelling, Dr. Antoine Jeanjean commented: ‘Using CFD allows EarthSense to offer highly detailed insights into air pollution on a scale previously not achievable with traditional methods.

‘MappAir makes air pollution data more accessible than ever, which is important for demonstrating the impact of pollution on human health and the environment.’

Shropshire County Council is currently using MappAir within its air quality webpage designed by EarthSense, which members of the public can use to check pollution levels in their area.

Photo Credit – Pixabay