The GNWT is now providing small, portable air quality sensors as part of the NWT Small Air Quality Sensors – Community Based Air Monitoring Project. These sensors monitor fine particulate matter in the air from things like wildfire smoke, vehicle emissions and industrial activities throughout the year. These sensors will fill a gap in data in communities that don’t have community air quality monitoring stations. They also increase air quality data in communities where air quality is already monitored. This will provide a baseline of data to compare against the future: especially important as climate change increases the intensity of events like wildfires that can affect the air quality.

Sensors will share data to an online map, which will be updated in real-time and available for everyone to check on their phones and computers. This data will help communities make decisions about staying indoors or reducing activities when the air quality is deteriorating.

How are these different from the NWT’s Community Air Quality Monitoring Stations?

We already have air quality monitoring stations in Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Smith, Yellowknife and Fort Simpson.

These small sensors will provide even more information in more places than our current network of real-time air quality monitoring stations in the NWT.

For more information: 

• NWT Small Air Quality Sensors - Community Based Air Monitoring Project Technical Information 
• NWT Small Air Quality Sensors Fact Sheet

How do they work?

Provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada, small air quality sensors are simple to set up and operate. All you need is Wi-Fi and a power connection.

How can you get involved?

The GNWT will distribute monitors for free and teach you how to setup and use the sensor.

Contact the Air Quality division for more information at airquality@gov.nt.ca or (867) 445-3152.