Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Community-Based Air Monitoring

Connecticut residents are engaging with local air quality concepts to learn how air quality can affect their personal health. This activity supports and promotes a greater sense of environmental awareness throughout the state. While DEEP's Air Monitoring Network is designed and operated to represent most of our state’s population, there are sometimes concerns about local, small scale air quality issues. The increased availability of low-cost air sensor technology has enabled communities to plan and develop small sensor monitoring networks allowing for a better understanding of localized health concerns and environmental issues.

Several neighborhoods, municipalities, and regions across Connecticut are involved in citizen science projects to generate local air quality data. These programs utilize a variety of air monitoring approaches and technologies to investigate and understand air quality issues and concerns. Environmental justice and overburdened front-line communities are among those who are most likely to benefit from such community monitoring programs.

Connecticut PurpleAir Network

DEEP developed a network of PurpleAir sensors to measure fine particulate matter (PM2.5) across Connecticut. Data from these air sensors can be made public at purpleair.com and readily available on a scale otherwise unfeasible with regulatory monitors.

PurpleAir sensors have been deployed at DEEP’s air monitoring stations to run alongside regulatory monitors, assess performance, and saturate the state network. Additional PurpleAir sensors have been loaned to community partners including schools, community groups, and outdoor education facilities, to measure air quality and promote engagement with air quality and health. Click here to learn more about our Air Sensor Loan Program.

Below is a real-time map of all PurpleAirs throughout Connecticut that are collecting outdoor PM2.5 measurements and publicly posting the data.
     
 

Community-Based Monitoring Programs in Connecticut

DEEP supports community-based air quality monitoring efforts by advising and assisting on current and prospective projects. The air sensor loan program provides communities with access to air sensors and technical support for outdoor monitoring projects. The Air Bureau has partnered with communities and local organizations on monitoring projects across Connecticut, two of which are highlighted below.   

Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring in the West Side and South End Neighborhoods, Stamford, CT

The City of Stamford, CT, Department of Health and Human Services received an American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant to monitor for criteria pollutants in three locations across the West Side and South End neighborhoods. Monitors were installed in May 2025 and report to a public-facing dashboard. Community members can sign up to receive air quality alerts. 

Learn more: Air Quality | Stamford, CT (stamfordct.gov)

Enhanced Air Monitoring in Derby/ Ansonia, CT

The CT Department of Public Health received an ARP grant to establish a network of low-cost air sensors to provide real-time measurements of pollutants in environmental justice communities. The project will provide training modules and an education and outreach campaign for community members to lead long-term air sensor network operation. The project is underway, with deployment of air sensors anticipated later in 2026. Project partners include the Naugatuck Valley Health District, the Yale School of Public Health, the University of Connecticut, and the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

Additional Air Quality Resources

Questions? Community-based air monitoring staff can be reached via email at DEEP.AirMonitoring@ct.gov.

 

Content last updated July 29, 2026