Abstract:
In recent decades, Alaska has experienced unprecedented wildfire seasons, increasing the public’s exposure to harmful particulate matter from wildfire smoke. To track this air pollution for the entire state, there are only six federal regulatory air monitoring stations that continuously monitor fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Moreover, these monitoring sites are all located within the population centers of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. This leaves significant gaps in real-time exposure assessment and trend tracking of wildfire smoke for rural and Alaska Native communities far from air monitoring sites, limiting their ability to make informed exposure-reduction decisions in a timely manner. As a result, strategies such as the use of low-cost air quality sensor networks and web-based tools that share air quality data from multiple sources, are needed to supply air quality information to rural communities. Low-cost air quality sensor networks have been used to provide individuals with real-time, personalized exposure data for air pollution, that help inform exposure assessment efforts. While there is some understanding of benefits and challenges involved with using low-cost sensor networks for air pollution planning and response efforts, most studies have examined networks located in urban areas, and few have examined them in the context of wildfire smoke. Further, limited evaluations have been conducted on the usability of low-cost sensors and how it influences their effectiveness as an intervention for wildfire smoke resilience. Additionally, a new state-wide tool–the Alaska Wildfire Explorer–was recently developed by researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to provide geographically-relevant fire and air quality information in an accessible web-based format that incorporates data from low-cost sensors. Still, there is a need for tailored guidance on interpreting and applying data from this tool to inform exposure-reduction strategies during wildfire smoke events at both the community and individual levels. This study aims to (1) describe the barriers and facilitators to the implementation and use of low-cost air quality sensors in Alaska and to (2) co-create story-based user guides that communicate the utility and functionality of the Alaska Wildfire Explorer tool. For aim 1, we applied the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Proctor et al.'s Implementation Outcomes as a conceptual framework to identify key factors that influenced implementation processes and innovation outcomes. We employed semi-structured interviews and a survey tool to investigate perspectives of implementation leads, innovation deliverers, and innovation recipients of low-cost sensor networks in Alaska. We found that although low-cost air quality sensors are not perceived as challenging to install and maintain, Alaska’s extreme winter weather, variable internet infrastructure, and limited resources within the work infrastructure allocated to low-cost monitoring posed barriers to the sustainability of this innovation. This evaluation also revealed that although some surveyed communities use air quality data to inform risk communication messages and local initiatives to reduce exposure to air pollution, the vast majority would like to. Additionally, most sensor hosts are not currently using data from their sensors to make wildfire smoke-related evacuation decisions. These findings indicate that investments in community infrastructure to support sensor durability and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as providing additional training for sensor hosts on accessing and interpreting air quality data, can help improve the sustainability of low-cost air quality sensor networks in Alaska for access to real-time air quality data. For aim 2, we used a co-production process and a storytelling approach rooted in scientific and environmental communications to create five story-based user guides communicating the utility of the Alaska Wildfire Explorer tool to help promote personal and community health resilience during wildfire smoke events. Reflections on co-creation aspects that influenced the final public health communication products and recommendations for future co-production efforts are described.