Introduction Collaboration Presentations Media Team Contact
The El Paso del Norte (PdN) air basin encompasses El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The region frequently experiences episodes of PM2.5 and NO2 that can be attributed to cross-border traffic, industrial activity, and intense dust storms. To expand coverage beyond the current regulatory monitors, a binational network of twelve calibrated Clarity Node-S sensors was deployed between March and June 2025, with one unit collocated at CAMS 41. A two-step correction process was applied: sensor-to-sensor normalization against a designated base unit, and a multiple linear regression against FEM/FRM reference data. For NO2, the manufacturer's global calibration model, which incorporates temperature and humidity baselines, produced stronger performance than locally driven models.
PM2.5 statistics were examined under four scenarios (uncapped, <1,000, <500, and <100 µg/m3). Uncapped values were dominated by extreme dust events, with site maxima exceeding 5,000 µg/m³, while capped datasets had period averages ranging from 13 to 20 µg/m³. NO2 exhibited diurnal cycles that could be linked to traffic, with a 1-hour maximum of 70.1 ppb at Doniphan Dr. and 64.9 ppb at US 54. Inverse-distance weighting maps highlighted recurring PM2.5 hotspots in Anapra and near the port of entries, while NO2 patterns followed major roadway corridors. Collocated results demonstrated a strong agreement with the reference monitor for PM2.5 (overall R² = 0.95) and weaker correlations for NO2 (R² = 0.12-0.21).
An outreach program, the “Air Detectives” workshop, involved 114 elementary students and resulted in significant improvements in protective behaviors and personal environmental actions. The findings suggest that a calibrated, low-cost sensor network can enhance air quality resolution, strengthen exposure assessments, and advance methods for calibration and data validation. Recommendations include seasonal re-collocations, enhanced dust protection for the field unit, and automated event flagging.
PM2.5 statistics were examined under four scenarios (uncapped, <1,000, <500, and <100 µg/m3). Uncapped values were dominated by extreme dust events, with site maxima exceeding 5,000 µg/m³, while capped datasets had period averages ranging from 13 to 20 µg/m³. NO2 exhibited diurnal cycles that could be linked to traffic, with a 1-hour maximum of 70.1 ppb at Doniphan Dr. and 64.9 ppb at US 54. Inverse-distance weighting maps highlighted recurring PM2.5 hotspots in Anapra and near the port of entries, while NO2 patterns followed major roadway corridors. Collocated results demonstrated a strong agreement with the reference monitor for PM2.5 (overall R² = 0.95) and weaker correlations for NO2 (R² = 0.12-0.21).
An outreach program, the “Air Detectives” workshop, involved 114 elementary students and resulted in significant improvements in protective behaviors and personal environmental actions. The findings suggest that a calibrated, low-cost sensor network can enhance air quality resolution, strengthen exposure assessments, and advance methods for calibration and data validation. Recommendations include seasonal re-collocations, enhanced dust protection for the field unit, and automated event flagging.
A key goal of the project is to enhance binational collaboration between research institutions in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. The research team meets virtually every two weeks to coordinate joint activities and implement the Quality Assurance Project Plan. The study is a first of its kind measurement of air quality in the international air basin as a whole using innovative new technology.
Real-time data available on Clarity OpenMap
Real-time data available on Clarity OpenMap
This project involved deploying a network of air quality sensors in the El Paso (U.S.) and Cd. Juárez (Mexico) area. The work was divided into four main tasks:
1. Task 1: Instrument Evaluation and Initial Deployment. The first phase tested the sensors' performance against standard instruments. After successful evaluation, six sensors were installed at public locations in El Paso, prioritizing communities impacted by air pollution.
2. Task 2: Expanded Monitoring Network. Based on initial tests, sensors were deployed in vulnerable communities on both sides of the border that lacked air quality data. A total of 12 sensors were installed to collect real-time data on various pollutants, with a specific focus on filling data gaps and improving measurement accuracy.
3. Task 3: Community Partnership. The project team identified and collaborated with local organizations, businesses, and homeowners to host the sensors, gaining access to sites that were previously unknown to regulatory agencies.
4. Task 4: Community Education and Outreach. This final task focused on raising public awareness, particularly among youth, about air quality issues. Through meetings and online sessions, community members were shown how to access and use the real-time data in their daily lives.
1. Task 1: Instrument Evaluation and Initial Deployment. The first phase tested the sensors' performance against standard instruments. After successful evaluation, six sensors were installed at public locations in El Paso, prioritizing communities impacted by air pollution.
2. Task 2: Expanded Monitoring Network. Based on initial tests, sensors were deployed in vulnerable communities on both sides of the border that lacked air quality data. A total of 12 sensors were installed to collect real-time data on various pollutants, with a specific focus on filling data gaps and improving measurement accuracy.
3. Task 3: Community Partnership. The project team identified and collaborated with local organizations, businesses, and homeowners to host the sensors, gaining access to sites that were previously unknown to regulatory agencies.
4. Task 4: Community Education and Outreach. This final task focused on raising public awareness, particularly among youth, about air quality issues. Through meetings and online sessions, community members were shown how to access and use the real-time data in their daily lives.
PM2.5 24hr Average less than 100
On May 2022, The UTEP team presented the abstract titled "Rapid Assessment of Community Air Quality Using Real-time Mobile Air Monitors" at the 2022 Air Sensors International Conference.
On March, the UACJ team hosted a seminar on low-cost sensors for the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INEEC), Secretary of Urban Development and Ecology of the state of Chihuahua (SEDUE), and the Department of Ecology of the Municipality of Ciudad Juarez. They talked about the challenges of using low-cost sensors to monitor particulate matter.
On February 11th, 2021 the UTEP team presented our updates at the 79th JAC meeting. The presentation is available here: https://www.cccjac.org/uploads/9/1/9/2/91924192/jac_lowcostairsensorspurple_air_revised.pdf
On June 9th, 2021 our team presented at the Technical exchange on air sensor networks along the Mexico-U.S. border: June 9_Shared Presentations
On July 17, EPA approved an amendment to the Quality Assurance Project Plan and it is available in English and Spanish here: https://www.cccjac.org/uploads/9/1/9/2/91924192/qapp-utep-uacj-low-cost_sensor-rev0-amd1-bilingual.pdf
On August 13, our team finalized the report Low-Cost Air Sensor Study in the Paso del Norte.
The project has been featured in the following media sources:
- TCEQ Border Affairs: Low-Cost Air Sensor study Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LnRtDiNg- Y&ab_channel=TCEQNews
- El Paso Herald: https://elpasoheraldpost.com/30k-grant-helps-utep-tracks-traffic-related-air-pollution-near-regional-school-zones/
-
- Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health (CTECH): https://ctech.cee.cornell.edu/2020/10/08/tep-tracks-traffic-related-air-pollution-near-regional-school-zones/
- University of Texas at El Paso: https://www.utep.edu/newsfeed/campus/utep-tracks-traffic-related-air-pollution-near-regional-school-zones.html
- Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez: Circulating bulletin available here: https://www.cccjac.org/uploads/9/1/9/2/91924192/boletin_purpleair.pdf
-
- Video produced by UTEP and UACJ in August 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFAcXwAv_dY
|
UTEP:
Dr. Wen-Whai Li Dr. Mayra C. Chavez Leonardo Vazquez Jose Rodriguez Brenda Hernandez |
UACJ:
Dr. Adrián F. Vázquez Gálvez Mta. Yazmín G. Hernández Ing. Frida Y. Toquinto Manjarrez Adrián V. Peña López |
You may send us an email to request to join the Stakeholder Email list for regular updates on the project.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]