Revealing the societal value of quality urban air monitoring in low resource environments

Impact: Awareness and understanding, Environmental, Health and wellbeing

Narrative

The SQUARE project led by Dr. Ejohwomu has had a profound impact on public health awareness and environmental management in West Africa, particularly in regions with limited air quality data. By using affordable, reliable, and calibrated sensors, the project has filled a significant data gap, revealing alarmingly poor air quality levels that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

The study has not only raised awareness among the general public but also engaged stakeholders such as students, policymakers, and environmental agencies. Through workshops in collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Nigerian Institute of Environmental Engineers (NIEE), the team educated a broad audience on the impact of air pollution and the need for effective mitigation strategies. Participants included secondary school and university students, government agencies, and health organizations like the Nigeria Heart Foundation.

Moreover, the project has empowered early-career researchers, academics, and industry professionals by training them to design, build, and deploy low-cost air quality sensors, making this essential technology more accessible in low-resource regions. This initiative has fostered a growing network of researchers and professionals equipped to tackle air quality issues in their own communities, ensuring that the knowledge and skills acquired will continue to benefit the region long after the project’s conclusion.

By providing valuable data and fostering collaboration, the SQUARE project has laid the groundwork for more robust air pollution policies and sustainable monitoring systems across West Africa.
Category of impactAwareness and understanding, Environmental, Health and wellbeing

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Global inequalities

Documents & Links

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