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Citizen Science and Emerging Technologies
Citation:
Kaufman, A., R. Williams, T. Barzyk, AND Tim Watkins. Citizen Science and Emerging Technologies. Presented at US Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium, Raleigh, NC, June 10 - 12, 2014.
Impact/Purpose:
The National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (HEASD) conducts research in support of EPA mission to protect human health and the environment. HEASD research program supports Goal 1 (Clean Air) and Goal 4 (Healthy People) of EPA strategic plan. More specifically, our division conducts research to characterize the movement of pollutants from the source to contact with humans. Our multidisciplinary research program produces Methods, Measurements, and Models to identify relationships between and characterize processes that link source emissions, environmental concentrations, human exposures, and target-tissue dose. The impact of these tools is improved regulatory programs and policies for EPA.
Description:
This session will discuss challenges and opportunities associated with citizen science and how emerging technologies can support citizen science activities. In addition, the session will provide an overview of low-cost environmental monitors and sensors and introduce the Citizen Science Tool Box, a suite of recommendations and technical guidance materials to assist with citizen science monitoring campaigns. There exists a strong desire by the general public to collect environmental data of importance to their family or community. This desire is driven by a wide variety of goals including concerns citizens have about known or perceived local pollution sources. Low-cost environmental sensors and monitors have recently been introduced into the public domain, giving residents the opportunity to collect environmental data for their own use. The Citizen Science Tool Box will provide guidance and instructions to citizens to allow them to effectively collect environmental data. This includes a list of devices with known performance characteristics, sampling methodologies, generalized calibration / validation approaches, measurement method suggestions, data interpretation guidelines, and education and outreach. The ultimate goal of the Tool Box is environmental awareness of local pollution levels through citizen-based environmental monitoring.