Viability Assessment of a Citizen-Led Hyperlocal Air Quality Monitoring Network

This report evaluates the viability of a proposed citizen-led air quality monitoring network. The initiative envisions homeowners in residential areas, particularly near the Suncor refinery in Commerce City, Colorado, purchasing consumer-grade, Wi-Fi-connected pollution sensors. Data from these sensors would be transmitted to a central platform for real-time analysis, generation of alerts for pollution spikes, and subsequent sharing for public good and potential sale to researchers and government entities. The overarching goals are to enhance public awareness of pollution events, particularly those potentially linked to the Suncor refinery, and to foster data-driven advocacy for policy changes. A mobile version of the system is also contemplated for disaster response scenarios. This analysis examines the technological feasibility, operational considerations, potential for community and governmental engagement, and economic sustainability of such a system, with a specific focus on its application in the Denver metropolitan area and its relevance to the Suncor refinery.

Denver's air quality is a significant public health concern, influenced by a confluence of factors including vehicular traffic, industrial emissions, oil and gas operations, and geographical and meteorological conditions that trap pollutants.1 The Denver-Aurora-Greeley metropolitan area ranks unfavorably for ozone pollution nationally.3 The Suncor refinery in Commerce City is a major, long-standing source of industrial pollution, emitting pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2​), nitrogen oxides (NOx​), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, and hydrogen sulfide (H2​S).4 These emissions have led to numerous violations, regulatory actions, and significant community health concerns, particularly in adjacent, often environmental justice, communities.4 The unique wind patterns in the Denver area, such as the "Denver cyclone," can exacerbate pollution by causing stagnation and transporting pollutants towards the foothills, affecting communities like Golden, Boulder, and Fort Collins.1 Studies have indicated that pollutants, including radioactivity potentially linked to refinery operations, can be transported downwind, with elevated levels detected miles from the source.