concernsair

Concernsair is a digital platform that collects and analyzes public concerns about air quality and related environmental health issues. It combines user-submitted reports with open data from air quality monitors, weather sources, and satellites to help communities, researchers, and policymakers understand local conditions.

The project grew from collaboration among environmental advocates, researchers, and civic technologists seeking better channels to report pollution and health concerns. It operates as a nonprofit with local partnerships and an emphasis on transparency.

Users submit geotagged alerts, observations, or questions. Submissions are categorized and mapped, linked to nearby measurement sites. The platform offers dashboards and downloadable datasets, with options for reporter anonymity.

Concernsair has been used by city agencies and community groups to prioritize investigations, inform campaigns, and support studies on the link between perceived air quality and measured pollutants.

Reception is mixed. Supporters praise accessibility and accountability; critics cite data quality, potential bias, and privacy concerns. The project emphasizes moderation, validation, and collaboration with official data sources.

Funding comes from environmental foundations, civic-tech grants, and philanthropy. Governance emphasizes openness, with public dashboards and opportunities for community input on roadmaps.