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. 2020 Jul 1;19(1):73.
doi: 10.1186/s12940-020-00627-5.

Translational data analytics in exposure science and environmental health: a citizen science approach with high school students

Ayaz Hyder  1   2 , Andrew A May  3   4
Affiliations

Translational data analytics in exposure science and environmental health: a citizen science approach with high school students

Ayaz Hyder et al. Environ Health. .

Abstract

Background: Translational data analytics aims to apply data analytics principles and techniques to bring about broader societal or human impact. Translational data analytics for environmental health is an emerging discipline and the objective of this study is to describe a real-world example of this emerging discipline.

Methods: We implemented a citizen-science project at a local high school. Multiple cohorts of citizen scientists, who were students, fabricated and deployed low-cost air quality sensors. A cloud-computing solution provided real-time air quality data for risk screening purposes, data analytics and curricular activities.

Results: The citizen-science project engaged with 14 high school students over a four-year period that is continuing to this day. The project led to the development of a website that displayed sensor-based measurements in local neighborhoods and a GitHub-like repository for open source code and instructions. Preliminary results showed a reasonable comparison between sensor-based and EPA land-based federal reference monitor data for CO and NOx.

Conclusions: Initial sensor-based data collection efforts showed reasonable agreement with land-based federal reference monitors but more work needs to be done to validate these results. Lessons learned were: 1) the need for sustained funding because citizen science-based project timelines are a function of community needs/capacity and building interdisciplinary rapport in academic settings and 2) the need for a dedicated staff to manage academic-community relationships.

Keywords: Air pollution; Citizen science; Low-cost sensors; Translational data analytics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic showing how community engagement and interdisciplinary research drive each other and in-turn affect translational environmental health sciences research
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Map of school buildings in the Hilliard City School District. Potential sites for deployment of low-cost air quality sensors are circled on the map. This map was developed in Year 1 of the project and underwent revisions over the course of the project
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Screenshot of the website developed for visualizing sensor-based data
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Comparison of NOx measured by EPA land-based monitors and calibrated NOx values measured by low-cost air quality sensor deployed at Davidson High School
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Comparison of CO measured by EPA land-based monitors and calibrated CO values measured by low-cost air quality sensor deployed at Davidson High School
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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