We know that poor air quality negatively affects our productivity and health. Those particularly vulnerable are children, elderly and individuals with underlying heath conditions, such as asthma or heart disease.

The burden of air pollution regulation initially fell on the states before the U.S. EPA implemented the Clean Air Act of 1970. Today, more individuals and environmental agencies are involved, and air quality is beginning to be monitored at a hyperlocal level – from county, to city, to street, to yard. This is because research has linked higher concentrations of pollutant emissions to specific locales or stationary sources like heavily trafficked roads, factories or earth-moving activities.

What does this mean for growing cities?
Currently, more than 39 percent of the U.S. population lives in cities with a population of 50,000 or more. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the fastest-growing cities in America, most of which are located in the South and West, are attracting more than 10,000 new inhabitants each year. Urbanization is an opportunity for economic growth, social integration and development of citizens and services; however, it is usually accompanied by increased demands on industry, the environment and transportation. More people mean more air pollution.

Read the full article about monitoring air quality in urban areas at Smart Cities Dive.