Speaker: Dr. Prakash Doraiswamy, RTI, International |

Seminar Title: Feasibility of Using Low-cost Air Quality Sensors for Improving Satellite-based PM_2.5 Estimates | 

Abstract: Fine particles have been linked to health impacts.  Current monitoring using reference equipment is spatially sparse.  Satellite data on the other hand provide spatial coverage. High spatial resolution ground-level data is needed to validate and improve satellite-based surface estimates. This talk will present the study design and findings from an ongoing study that uses low-cost sensors deployed by citizen scientists to examine the spatial gradients in surface fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations.  We will present results from lab and field evaluation of the sensors and present results from a prototype field deployment in the South Coast air basin in the Los Angeles area and in the inland Riverside/San Bernardino regions of Southern California.  We will also present our plans for the just-started implementation phase of this project, and highlight challenges.

Bio: Dr. Prakash Doraiswamy is a principal air quality scientist at RTI International.  Prior to his current position, he worked at SUNY Albany and Desert Research Institute.  He has more than 15 years of experience in the field air quality, covering a broad range of areas from particle and gaseous measurements to application and evaluation of regional photochemical air quality models, emission inventory development, quality assurance, and diagnostic data analysis.  His research interests include integrated application of his expertise to understand air pollution, its impacts on human health and for air quality management.  He is particularly interested in capacity building.  He is a member and the current vice chair of the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) and a member of the Editorial Advisory Committee of EM: A&WMA’s Magazine for Environmental Managers. He serves on A&WMA’s Critical Review and Particulate Matter Technical Committees.  On Monday, he will be presenting his ongoing work as part of a NASA-funded project that he leads.