GAO Report Reveals Limitations of Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors Amid Growing Interest in Community Monitoring Projects.

A report by the Government Accountability Office has highlighted limitations in low-cost air quality sensors that can not capture some data on national air pollution monitoring. The report suggests that an ambient air monitoring system can miss pollution in rural areas and local scales. Low-cost devices can be used to identify pollution hot spots and to improve wildfire smoke warnings. However, they can also be used for scientific research. State and federal policy and public interest in air pollution has led to increased use of these devices. The Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan have provided millions to community air monitoring projects, many of which plan to use these sensors.