Anthropogenic activities emit particulate matter (PM) and gaseous substances that are harmful. PM has adverse effects on different parts of the body. Atmospheric pollution is a global threat with an increasing social and economic costs. Poor air quality is a concern in African cities but governments have been too slow to react, one of the reasons being the scarcity of data on different air pollutants. Instruments based on low-cost sensors and Internet of Things are being considered as solution to evaluate the concentration of different pollutants. Increasing number of manufacturers are proposing sensing devices with good accuracy. Low-cost sensors are an alternative to expensive high graded equipment. They are cheap and can be easily deployed. The main objective is to organize training sessions for researchers and students on the design and implementation of low-cost sensors for air quality monitoring. The project will use astronomy instrumentation knowledge and skills. Participants will be trained in IoT techniques showing how to build low-cost sensors-based instruments and deploy them. The project will last for two years and trainers will be invited on various aspects of the trainings. Two hands-on trainings and two online seminars will be organized each year. The project will be implemented in Senegal and the first year will see the participation of local trainees and in the second phase it will open up to participants from other African countries. Specific objectives are: (1) organize hands-on trainings and online seminars on IoT and air quality monitoring, (2) train researchers, teachers and students on various aspects of air quality monitoring and (3) improve Physics education in Africa through low-cost sensors and IoT. Expected outcome are as follows: (1) train a minimum of 100 participants on IoT and air quality monitoring; (2) improve the experimental skills of participants; and (3) increase awareness of the threat that represents atmospheric pollution.
Activities
The online training took place on the 7-8 November 2023 with 60 attendees, who were students and researchers.
The workshop took place at the Alioune Diop University, Senegal on the 13-15 March 2024 with 20 attendees, who were researchers and students.
Outcomes
1) Increase awareness on atmospheric pollution – during both trainings, around 80 participants were informed on atmospheric pollution and its consequences. Researchers and experts were able to present their work and results to inform other participants.
2) Explore the potential of IoT for air quality monitoring – Several air quality monitors were bought from IQair and Purpleair and three others were developed, operated, and tested to master the technology. From this experience, several presentations (3) were made at different conferences.
3) Train participants on the design and testing of IoT-based air quality monitors and increase their experimental skills – the seminar saw the participation of 60 participants out of 160 registered candidates. The hands-on training took place in Senegal, with 21 participants out of 76 registered applicants. The survey done let us know the high level of satisfaction among participants. “
