Sonoma Technology at the 2018 National Air Quality Conference

Sonoma Technology scientists attended and presented at the 2018 National Air Quality Conference, hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We highlighted our work on enhancements to AirNow-Tech, using new statistical analysis techniques in air quality forecasting, and on the exciting Kids Making Sense education outreach program.<br>

<b><i><a href="http://bit.ly/2GaNt7c" target="_blank">AirNow-Tech</a href></i> by Marcus Hylton</b><br>

The AirNow program receives, manages, and publishes air quality data and forecasts from more than 130 state, tribal, provincial, and local air quality agencies across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mr. Hylton provided a general overview of AirNow-Tech, an interactive web-based data management, analysis, and decision-support tool used to visualize and manage AirNow data.<br>

Mr. Hylton works extensively on operations for the AirNow program, and performs daily air quality forecasting and analysis for multiple locations throughout the United States.<br>

<b><i>New AirNow-Tech Features and Demonstration</i> by <a href="http://www.sonomatech.com/staff#alan" target="_blank">Alan Chan</a href></b><br>

This demonstration highlighted updates and new features for the AirNow-Tech system, including tools for easier site management, QC reviews, and Navigator enhancements.<br>

Mr. Chan, Sonoma Technology’s Manager of AirNow, oversees the operation of the Data Management Center (DMC) for the AirNow program. Sonoma Technology has assisted the EPA with the development, operation, and enhancement of the AirNow system <a href="/projects/4176" target="_blank">for over 15 years.</a href><br>

<b><i><a href="http://bit.ly/2n7S4OK" target="_blank">Using New Statistical Approaches to Update Daily Ozone Concentration Forecasting Tools</a href></i> by Marcus Hylton</b><br>

To assist with daily ozone forecasting, Sonoma Technology is using new statistical tools and data techniques to understand relationships between ozone concentrations and meteorological conditions. Mr. Hylton discussed the methods used to develop our regression techniques and the accuracy of forecasts made using the newly developed tools.<br>

<b><i><a href="http://bit.ly/2FjJJzc" target="_blank">Making Sense of Kids Making Sense, a STEM-Based Air Quality Program</a href></i> by <a href="http://www.sonomatech.com/staff#hilary" target="_blank">Hilary Hafner</a href></b><br>

<a href="http://kidsmakingsense.org/" target="_blank">Kids Making Sense®</a href> is an exciting environmental education curriculum that teaches students about air quality and how to measure air pollution using hand-held sensors and mobile phones, empowering them to drive positive change in their communities. Ms. Hafner provided an overview of Kids Making Sense, presented recent improvements and updates to the educational materials, and gave examples of various ways the program has been adapted to meet different needs.<br>

Ms. Hafner, a Senior Vice President at Sonoma Technology, has led the development of data validation, data analysis, and monitoring network assessment guidance, building on over three decades of real-world experience with air quality data.<br>

In addition to our scheduled presentations, we also discussed
<ul><li>How we work with clients to design <a href="http://www.sonomatech.com/projects/websites_and_apps" target="_blank">outreach websites and mobile applications</a href> that fully engage the public</li>
<li>How to remotely and securely access and manage monitoring network equipment, instruments, audits, and calibrations, and minimize site downtime with instant alerts from <a href="http://esims.sonomatech.com/" target="_blank">eSIMS</a href>, a web-based electronic log book</li>
<li>Our innovative approaches to <a href="/services/airquality">air quality</a href> and <a href="/services/meteorology">meteorological</a href> <a href="/services/measurements">monitoring</a href>, <a href="/services/modeling" target="_blank">modeling</a href>, and <a href="/services/forecasting" target="_blank">forecasting</a href>, including the use of small sensors</li>