Large-scale citizen science protocol provides high-resolution nitrogen dioxide values while enhancing community knowledge and collective action

• Main Authors: Josep Perelló, Jaume Targa, Carolyn Daher, María Alonso, Louise Francis, Amanda Masha-Caminals, Isabelle Bonhoure, Anna Cigarini, Julià Vicens, Glòria Carrasco-Turigas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-01-01
• Series: MethodsX
• Subjects: Citizen science; Air quality; Nitrogen dioxide levels; Schools; City; Barcelona
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016121002685

We present an already tested protocol from a large-scale air quality citizen science campaign (xAire, 725 measurements, see Ref. [1]). A broad partnership with 1,650 people from communities including 18 primary schools in Barcelona (Spain) provided the capacity to obtain unprecedented high-resolution NO2 levels. Communities followed the protocol to select measurement points and obtain NO2 levels from outdoor locations n=671, playgrounds n=31, and inside school buildings (primarily classrooms) n=23. Data was calibrated and annualized with concentration levels from the city´s automatic air quality monitoring reference stations [2].