Air Monitoring

Air pollution and extreme heat can have serious short-and long-term impacts on health and the climate. In the Region of Waterloo, Ozone (O₃), Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM_2.5), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) are measured at the Kitchener Air Quality Station near Victora Park (see location here). Temperature is measured at the Region of Waterloo Airport. Find out more about air quality monitoring in Ontario.

Air pollution and extreme heat are expected to worsen with a warming climate and not all neighbourhoods are impacted equally. For example, those located near highway corridors may experience higher levels of air pollution and associated health impacts. There are also several contributors to air pollution and GHGs that are not measured in our region.

GEMM is creating an air monitoring network on the main UW campus to provide data for research, students, and others in our community to study and learn about the localized impacts of air pollution and GHG emissions.

We are looking for partners to use the GEMM air monitoring data and/or expand the network to more locations. Get in touch to see how we could work together.

The GEMM air monitoring network started collecting data in the spring of 2025 with funding from a Sustainability Action Fund grant. Sensors are currently measuring PM_2.5, PM₁₀, CO₂, NO₂, O₃, and CO, along with temperature, pressure, and relative humidity.

PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ are measured with a SLX-PARTICULATE sensor from Liveable Cities, a Halifax-based company. The atmospheric gases listed above and PM_2.5 are measured with sensors from a BEACO₂N node from the University of California at Berkeley. Find out more about the BEACO₂N project. The node is located on the rooftop of Engineering 2.

CSV files contain monthly PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ measured in micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) every 15 minutes. Files also contain relative humidity.

June 2025 Update: The sensors at the SLC and EV3 need to be relocated.  We are working on new locations and will update once available.

CSV data files contain monthly data for CO₂ (ppm), CO (ppb), NO₂ (ppb), and O₃ (ppm). Files also contain relative humidity (%), pressure (mbar), and temperature (degC).  Contact us for more information on the sensors and data calibration.

Starting in Sept. 2025, the data files now also include PM2.5 data.