Development on the MyAir® Web App
In early 2020, we launched MyAir®, the web app produced for Zephyr® users to access their measured air quality data. Since its launch, we’ve continued developing the portal and investing in the latest technologies so we can provide an unrivalled air quality service.
We recently added some exciting new features to MyAir® for users to gain further insight into pollution concentrations, trends, sources and more!
Here’s what MyAir® users can expect to receive with the latest update all included with a Zephyr® subscription…
Pollution by Source
The first new feature of MyAir® means users in the UK now receive source apportionment for particulate matter (PM2.5), providing a breakdown of pollution sources and their contribution to PM2.5 emissions for any given location throughout the region.
Those wanting to identify sources impacting air quality levels are now able to do so and receive data for a range of contributors including transport; energy production; agriculture; domestic combustion; industrial combustion; industrial production; nature; offshore; solvent and waste.
With the MappAir® overlay on and by clicking on an area of interest on the map, users receive a graph with statistics for the total tonnes of PM2.5 emitted by each source per year.
A drop-down menu with each source is also available as part of the feature, providing further insight into each of their contribution. Once the source type has been selected on the menu, the map will update accordingly to outline areas around the UK experiencing the largest volumes of PM2.5 emitted by the source in question.
Estimates of source apportionment gives context to the long-term trends in air quality at a given location, adding another dimension to Zephyr® data to improve interpretation of the local environment. The air we breathe is a cocktail of necessary and superfluous molecules, determined at any given time by the local emissions and the built environment, land-use further afield, and chemical processes, diluted by meteorology and deposition surfaces. Source apportionment helps to detangle this complicated picture by providing estimates of several different types of emission sources, which can be used to focus management efforts to improve air quality.
Quick View MappAir® Timeseries
The quick view MappAir® timeseries feature helps to easily identify air quality levels for any pollutant by clicking on the point of interest. With the MappAir® overlay switched on and pollutant selected, users are able to select their location of concern and receive an index for the highest near real time (NRT) air quality level in the area.
In addition, clicking on the area of interest provides users with a graph which can be enlarged to receive 30 days of historic data and a 3-day forecast for the selected species. The graph can be interrogated further by clicking and dragging for a detailed understanding of pollution levels throughout the days of concern, which can also be downloaded. MappAir® Timeseries data can be used to identify trends and patterns in air pollution, helping to aid and inform effective interventions and decisions towards cleaner air.
Global MappAir® Layer
The MappAir® overlay is now available to global MyAir® users, providing air quality modelling for pollutants including sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM10).
Using the MappAir® overlay, Zephyr® users can quickly identify real-time measurements alongside a visualisation of modelled concentrations for their given country for additional, wider context to measured sensor air quality levels.
Satellite Layer
We’ve also added a satellite image layer option to MyAir®, giving users a visual representation of their sensor locations in relation to surrounding areas.
Available to use with the additional layers on MyAir®, the satellite layer provides an image-based view for additional perspective to modelled and measured pollution concentrations and potential sources and hotspot locations.
Zephyr® Sensor Data Overlay
The Zephyr® overlay allows users to easy toggle on-off measured sensor data, providing an option for viewing real-time measurements against other available overlays, including the MappAir® model, satellite layer or AQMA layer.
Using a combination of the overlays, such as real-time Zephyr® measurements together with MappAir® data offers additional context to localised sensor measurements. Using this with the features available such as source apportionment, air quality can be identified and understood in significant detail for future decisions surrounding mitigation strategies.
Regional Meteorological Data
With the addition of meteorological data on the web app, MyAir® users now have the option of receiving information about wind speed and direction, temperature and humidity for their region when selecting a Zephyr® unit.
Joining up Zephyr® and meteorological data from NOAA provides a coherent, synoptic overview of prevailing weather conditions which may be the key determinant of regional air quality.
MappAir® Wind Rose
Similar to the regional meteorological data, MyAir® now comes with a wind rose available via the MappAir® overlay to showcase wind speed and direction. To use this feature, toggle the layer on and receive 30 days of historic wind frequency and speed data, highlighting the direction that species of gases and particulates are likely to be travelling and impacting local levels.
Soon to come will be the addition of data that can be used alongside the rose to identify the dispersion of each of the available pollution species, all of which carry differently in certain wind speeds. For example, nitric oxide (NO) is only present for a small amount of time in stable winds, meaning pollution exposure is lower than that of particulate matter PM2.5, which remains in the air for several days and subsequently increases the chances of exposure.
Unit Label Toggle
We’ve also improved the usability of the web app by adding the option to toggle on and off individual Zephyr® and Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN) labels.
Adding this option to MyAir® allows users to customise the view of their sensors on the map and choose which monitoring stations they want to see. Simply select the drop-down menu on the Zephyr® or AURN tab and toggle on or off to make use of the intuitive interface.
Temperature, Pressure and Humidity Graph
Available on MyAir® is a graph with data for temperature, pressure, and humidity for each sensor. We’ve now improved the graph by adding a secondary axis, allowing for comparisons between each factor to be easily performed.
The ability to carry out comparisons between each ensures external environmental factors which may be impacting air pollution levels are identified and understood.
Interested in learning more about using MyAir® to measure and model air quality?
We’re offering a FREE 1-2-1 demo of MyAir® with one of the EarthSense team, allowing those interested to learn more about the web app and its newest features. Available for a limited time only, you can find out more by getting in touch with us at www.earthsense.co.uk/contact or call us on +44 (0) 116 296 7460!