Personal exposure monitoring using GPS-enabled portable air pollution sensors: A strategy to promote citizen awareness and behavioral changes regarding indoor and outdoor air pollution

Little is known about how individuals are exposed to air pollution in various daily activity spaces due to a lack of data collected in the full range of spatial contexts in which they spend their time. The limited understanding makes it difficult for people to act in informed ways to reduce their exposure both indoors and outdoors. This study aimed to (1) assess whether personalized air quality data collected using GPS-enabled portable monitors (GeoAir2), coupled with travel-activity diaries, promote people’s awareness and behavioral changes regarding indoor and outdoor air pollution and (2) demonstrate the effect of places and activities on personal exposure by analyzing individual exposure profiles. 44 participants carried GeoAir2 to collect geo-referenced air pollution data and completed travel-activity diaries for three days. These data were then combined for spatial data analysis and visualization. Participants also completed pre- and post-session surveys about awareness and behaviors regarding air pollution. Paired-sample t-tests were performed to evaluate changes in knowledge, attitudes/perceptions, and behavioral intentions/practices, respectively. Lastly, follow-up interviews were conducted with a subset of participants. Most participants experienced PM2.5 peaks indoors, especially when cooking at home, and had the lowest exposure in transit. Participants reported becoming more aware of air quality in their surroundings and more concerned about its health effects (t = 3.92, p = 0.000) and took more action or were more motivated to alter their behaviors to mitigate their exposure (t = 3.40, p = 0.000) after the intervention than before. However, there was no significant improvement in knowledge (t = 0.897; p = 0.187). Personal exposure monitoring, combined with travel-activity diaries, leads to positive changes in attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors related to air pollution. This study highlights the importance of citizen engagement in air monitoring for effective risk communication and air pollution management.