Alaska community deploys ARP grant-funded sensor network for seamless local air quality insights

Across the US, ARP-grant funded air quality sensors are making their way into communities—some further afield than others. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) partnered with the Napaskiak Tribal Council to deploy a network of MODULAIR™️ sensors in Napaskiak's 500-person village. After leaving the QuantAQ facilities in Somerville, MA, the sensors traveled by plane from Anchorage to Bethel, then by a half-hour boat ride along the Kuskokwim River to reach their final destination.

Next comes training that will enable local volunteers to seamlessly monitor their sensors and gain deeper insight around their local air quality. Empowering communities across Alaska was the top goal of DEC AMQA data and sensor manager Taylor Borgfeldt—and knowing winter will bring snow, wind, and low temps hovering just above 0°F meant prioritizing device durability.

“Given the enormous breadth of our region and the diversity we see working with some of the 200 federally recognized tribal groups across Alaska, we don’t have the luxury of a superdense network. We need faith in an instrument to run independently—we need absolute confidence in our sensors.” - Taylor Borgfeldt, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Program Manager

We’re looking forward to hearing how the project unfolds and supporting Taylor, her team, and their local community partners through every step of the journey.