Table 4 Summary of key citizen-based air quality monitoring projects in Latin America.

Redspira (2018)

To develop a system that combines citizen data and official environmental data to create a collaborative air quality monitoring network.

Mexico

Citizens

Crowdsourcing air quality data

Open data platform to share data with multiple stakeholders.

Data is used for local government to support policymaking

Strengthening air pollution monitoring in Mexicali by creating citizen sensing networks to support regulatory monitoring infrastructure.

Open-Seneca (2019)

To empower citizens with air pollution data to raise awareness, promote behavioral change, and inform policymakers on environmental issues.

Argentina

Academia, research institutes, maker groups, non-profit organizations

Crowdsourcing air quality data by mounting air quality monitoring devices on bikes

Validated data is used to promote behavioral change and inform decision-makers.

Using collective intelligence to find pollution hotspots and raise awareness.

Collaborating with the government to scale the CS project across the country.

Unloquer (Valencia and Fonseca, 2019)

To raise awareness about local air quality and empower citizens in making informed choices.

Colombia

Citizens

Crowdsourcing air quality data

Data is not validated before streaming.

Open data platform to share data with multiple stakeholders.

Allowing the community to participate in data collection and engage in addressing local air quality problems.

Citizen Science (Ciudadanos Científicos) (Hoyos et al., 2020)

To raise awareness about local air quality and empower citizens to make data-informed decisions.

Colombia

Local government

Crowdsourcing air quality data

Real-time data is displayed online, validated data is shared with multiple stakeholders.

Allowing the community to participate in data collection and engage in local air quality problems.

Supporting local governments with air quality data to support policymaking during pollution episodes.

CanAirIO (2021)

To build a citizen network that maps air pollution using low-cost sensors and promotes awareness.

Colombia

Citizens

Assembling monitoring devices, tracking air pollution episodes.

Data is not validated before streaming.

Open data platform to share data with multiple stakeholders.

Creating an inclusive environment for promoting citizen participation in air pollution monitoring.

Advocating for putting the topic of air quality on the local political agenda.

Aire Envigado (Metropol Colombia, n.d.)

To raise awareness about local air quality using DIY monitoring devices.

Colombia

Citizens

Setting up monitoring devices

Open data platform to share data with multiple stakeholders.

Allowing the community to participate in data collection and engage in addressing Envigado’s air quality problems.