Techno-Sustainability Framework ● Live

By Buhimila Mboja supervised by Dr. Mridula Sharma and Dr. Zeinab Teimoori

What are these PM readings?

PM2.5 refers to very fine air pollution particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, about 3% the width of a human hair. These particles are among the major forms of air pollution and often come from sources such as vehicle emissions, industry, power generation, smoke from cooking and open waste burning. Because they are so small, PM2.5 particles can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Exposure can increase the risk of asthma, respiratory illness, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and premature death, especially among children, older adults and other vulnerable groups. This page shows live PM measurements to help people understand current air pollution conditions, identify areas with elevated pollution levels and take precautions when needed and possible.

For Families

Waiting for live data. This section will help families decide when to open windows, go outside or reduce exposure.

For Schools

Waiting for live data. This section will support outdoor play, sports and classroom safety decisions.

For Outdoor Activity

Waiting for live data. This section will explain whether running, sports or long outdoor activity is practical.

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Highest PM2.5 Reading

PM2.5 concentration

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Active Nodes

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Online

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SMS Subscriber(s)

Awaiting first subscribers

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Last Updated

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Live Nodes

Real-time air quality readings from monitoring locations.

ⓘ Masters of Science in Environmental Science, TRU

Alert and Communication Layer

Live public alerts, SMS enrolment, node ranking and message previews.

Current Public Alert

Waiting for live data

When pollution thresholds are crossed, this panel can support SMS alerts, dashboard alerts and simple public guidance.

Mask: Waiting for live data

Outdoor Exercise: Waiting for live data

School Environment: Waiting for live data

Highest Reading Nodes

SMS Communication Dashboard (Last 7 Days)

Overview of subscribers, requests and SMS alerts activity.

▣ Loading 7-day range

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New Subscribers

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Unsubscribed

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Status Requests

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Alert SMS Sent

Subscriber Activity (Last 7 Days) ⓘ

ⓘ Green bars show new subscribers each day. Red bars show users who unsubscribed each day.

Public Alert SMS by Category (Last 7 Days) ⓘ

ⓘ Only real alert/recovery SMS are counted here. STATUS, JOIN, STOP and approval messages are excluded.

Status Requests (STATUS) – Last 7 Days ⓘ

ⓘ Number of STATUS requests received each day.

Subscribe to SMS Alerts

Receive a text message when air quality changes near your selected monitoring area.

You can opt out later by replying STOP. Alerts are linked to this TSF monitoring project.

You are subscribed.

Coverage

All nodes

Choose one location or receive alerts from every active monitoring node.

Community coverage

Live Alert Trigger

Moderate+

Alerts are sent when live PM2.5 readings reach your selected warning level.

PM2.5 threshold based

Example SMS

Air quality at SHARMA is unhealthy. PM2.5 was 80 at 8:35 PM. Wear a mask outdoors and avoid heavy exercise.

SMS Commands

JOIN [LOCATION NAME]
Subscribe to alerts from one location. Eg, Join Sharma

JOIN ALL
Subscribe to all monitoring nodes.

STATUS [LOCATION NAME]
Get the latest PM2.5 reading anytime. No enrollment is needed. Eg, Status Zeinab

STATUS ALL
Get the current highest reading hotspot.

STOP / START
Stop alerts or resume them later.

Natural shortcuts
You can also text “Sharma”, “How is Zeinab?” or “Air quality near Sharma” to get the status.

Alert Rules

These rules explain when the dashboard changes message level and when SMS alerts can be triggered.

Good PM2.5 ≤ 12. No SMS needed.

Moderate PM2.5 13–35. Sensitive groups should watch conditions.

High / Caution PM2.5 36–55. Reduce heavy outdoor activity.

Unhealthy PM2.5 above 55. Public warning can be sent.

SMS Message Preview

This is the message style users would receive based on the current live readings.

TSF Alert: Waiting for live DATA readings.

Node Ranking by PM2.5

Highest current DATA readings appear first.

Recent Alert History

Recent DATA readings that would be useful for alert review and thesis evidence.

Understanding PM Pollution

What is PM, why does it matter and how can this system help?

These live readings are not just numbers. They show tiny air pollution particles that people may breathe into their lungs. This section explains the meaning before you read the dashboard.

What is PM?

PM means Particulate Matter

PM is tiny pollution particles floating in the air. These particles can come from wildfire smoke, road dust, vehicle exhaust, construction, industry, burning and other local sources.

PM2.5 is one of the most important readings because the particles are very small. They can travel deep into the lungs and some pollution components may enter the bloodstream.

PM1.0 is very fine particle pollution.
PM2.5 is fine particle pollution linked with stronger health concern.
PM10 is larger particle pollution such as dust and coarse particles.

The unit µg/m³ means micrograms of particles in one cubic metre of air.

Why monitor PM?

PM can affect children and adults

Air pollution is often invisible. A place can look normal while PM levels are rising. Monitoring helps people know when exposure may be higher.

Children: developing lungs, faster breathing, asthma flare ups, coughing, wheezing, reduced lung growth and more respiratory infections.
Adults: breathing irritation, bronchitis, reduced lung function, worsening asthma, COPD problems and higher stress on the heart.
Older adults and sensitive groups: higher risk when pollution rises, especially people with asthma, COPD, heart disease or other breathing conditions.
Long-term exposure: linked with heart and lung disease, stroke risk and increased lung cancer risk from air pollution exposure.

The goal is awareness, not panic. When people know pollution is rising, they can reduce exposure earlier.

How does this help?

It turns PM readings into action

This system measures PM levels using air sensors, sends the readings to the database and displays them as live information that people can understand.

Shows which monitoring location currently has the highest PM2.5 reading.
Helps families decide when to open windows, go outside or reduce exposure.
Helps schools adjust outdoor play, sports and sensitive student protection.
Helps outdoor workers and active people decide when heavy outdoor activity may not be practical.
Supports SMS alerts so people can be warned when PM levels rise.

Measure → Understand → Act

System and Data Quality

Trust matters. This section exposes timing, packet and signal information that supports confidence in the monitoring system and its communication pathway.

How the TIP flow works

Sensor → processing → communication → user response

Sensing

Nodes collect PM data and send readings to the gateway. This is the sensing layer of the framework.

Processing

Data is stored, classified and summarized into Good, Moderate and High conditions for practical interpretation.

Communication

Dashboards and possible SMS alerts present environmental information in a simple and timely way.

User Response

Users and authorities can adjust behavior, timing and local response based on pollution conditions.

About TSF and TIP

This site is designed as more than a sensor dashboard. It reflects the thesis logic behind the Techno-Sustainability Framework and Teletechnovision in Pollution.