Calibrating and Utilizing Low-Cost Clarity Node S Sensors to Monitor Local PM Concentrations in Lubbock, TX

Aerosols, otherwise called Particulate Matter (PM) are tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air. They originate from a wide variety of sources, ranging from volcanic activity to vehicular emissions. Exposure to high PM levels can lead to respiratory issues and even to the development of cancer. Measurement of PM and the establishment of a sensor network is important to ensure improved air quality levels and living conditions. Here in Lubbock, TX, no sensor network exists to measure local PM concentrations, as only one official PM_2.5 monitor is situated within city limits. A recent study suggests that several neighborhoods, especially those near industrial areas, experience increased health problems likely due to elevated PM concentrations from nearby industrial sources.

This work is part of the Lubbock Environmental Action Plan (LEAP) for Communities project that aims to provide information on air quality across the city. 42 Clarity Node S sensors were selected for this project. The Clarity Node S sensor is a low-cost sensor that holds a built-in solar panel and SIM card port, which allows the sensors to be operated without a direct power source and Wi-Fi. The 42 sensors were collocated with a reference Grimm EDM 180 for an initial period of 45 days from March to May 2024. The Clarity Node S sensors demonstrated excellent correlation with R² values above 0.9 between the Clarity sensors. The 42 Clarity Node S sensors were calibrated and distributed across the city of Lubbock to create a spatial and temporal network for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ (particles with diameter smaller than 2.5 and 10µm, respectfully). Once the sensors were deployed, examination was performed on each sensor to identify if specific neighborhoods experienced higher pollution levels. This will be a critical first step to improving the air quality in specific neighborhoods and provide awareness of the effects PM has on human health.