Abstract
Environmental education is important for developing a common understanding of the fundamental value of the environment, and “awareness” is one of the first steps toward improving air quality. In this study, we demonstrated the use of a smartphone air quality monitor, Pocket PM2.5 sensor, in Shenyang, Liaoning, in northeast China for assessing personal exposure concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10. We also aimed to elucidate the function and meaning of the monitoring in environmental education activities. Field monitoring was conducted by a non-science-professional volunteer, at 11 sites and routes in central Shenyang, including indoors, on November 19th and 20th, 2019. The portable monitor was easily operated by the volunteer, and real-time concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were successfully collected with a time resolution of one second. As a result, the real-time and simultaneous measurements of PM2.5 and PM10 had positive effects in cultivating immediate public environmental awareness of air quality. The data were able to provide three insights about the gap in recognizing pollution status, pollution by particulate matter, and the scientific background behind the monitoring. Because a smartphone monitor is portable, easy-to-handle, and displays information clearly, it can be used effectively as a supplemental environmental education tool for understanding the actual amount of air pollution in a current location.
