University of Utah working to set up air quality sensors around the state

SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah professors are working to help install air quality sensors near high school sports facilities around the state.

The sensors will monitor pollutants in the air to help determine if it’s safe for students to go outside.

Several have already been installed. 

“We have placed approximately 40 air sensors throughout … Utah,” said Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering Kerry Kelly. “Many of those are in areas that either don’t have any or have very limited air quality information.”

Kelly said many counties in the state don’t have a way to measure or forecast the air quality in the area. She said the University of Utah wants to set up these sensors all over the state.

“So, ideally we’d like one on every high school athletic field throughout the state,” she said. “I believe there are about 150 high schools, so that would be our ultimate goal.”

Kelly said these sensors will help protect students when they are outside.

“For example …, you might modify training activities, especially if … you’ve got an asthmatic student. Maybe you have them train inside,” she said.

Kelly said there isn’t much research showing the long-term effect of exercising outside in poor air quality.

Josuee Sanchez is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio.

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