1 / 3
Randy Olson, environmental health deputy director for the Davis County Health Department, explains how to read the Davis County Air Quality Map on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. The map can be found on the DCHD website.
Photo supplied, Davis County Health Department
2 / 3
The AirU+ and AirU Pro air quality monitors from Tellus Networked Sensor Solutions are displayed Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Both models have been installed across Davis County.
Photo supplied, Davis County Health Department
3 / 3
A view of the Davis County air quality map as of Friday morning, Jan. 17, 2025.
Photo supplied, Davis County Health Department
-
- Randy Olson, environmental health deputy director for the Davis County Health Department, explains how to read the Davis County Air Quality Map on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. The map can be found on the DCHD website.
-
- The AirU+ and AirU Pro air quality monitors from Tellus Networked Sensor Solutions are displayed Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Both models have been installed across Davis County.
-
- A view of the Davis County air quality map as of Friday morning, Jan. 17, 2025.
CLEARFIELD — The Davis County Health Department has installed 24 air quality sensors throughout the county to help community members make informed decisions about their daily activities.
The county plans to install a total of 41 sensors and also is offering residents a chance to purchase one of their own.
The sensors are made by Tellus Networked Sensor Solutions and run about $300, said Randy Olson, environmental health deputy director at the Davis County agency. The health department partnered with Tellus back in May to purchase and install the monitors, which measure key air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, ozone and airborne particulate matter like PM2.5 and PM10.
“Air quality has been one of the top concerns for Davis County ever since I’ve been at the health department,” Olson said. “When we do surveys and ask residents about their concerns, air quality is always right there at the top.”
Olson said an air quality map, with data collected through Tellus AirView, is posted on the health department’s website with real-time updates.
“Anyone can get on our website and search for ‘air quality’ and then look at the conditions in their own area,” Olson said. “Once they can see what the air quality is in their area, they can use it as a tool to make informed decisions about what they’ll be doing that day.”
Olson said, for instance, if the color-coded map indicates a bad air day, people should think about changing their outdoor activities.
“You probably shouldn’t be out running when the air is bad,” he said. “People especially prone include children and the elderly and those with asthma, heart disease, lung disease and other breathing problems. There’s really solid research that shows a strong correlation in people being hospitalized with heart attacks and strokes on bad air days.”
Olson said not only should people pay attention to inversions but they also need to watch out for wildfire smoke causing problems as well.
Olson said the goal of the project is to empower Davis County residents with up-to-date information about local air quality, and they even have an opportunity to purchase their own, which he said will help enhance accuracy.
“The more sensors we have, the better,” he said. “You can go to tellusensors.com if you want one for yourself.”
Olson said the health department also plans to purchase more monitors in the future.
To look at the real-time heat map, go to daviscountyutah.gov.