In observance of Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10), the Office of Management Strategy & Solutions’ Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) has unveiled a machine learning-powered particulate air pollution forecast, now accessible in the ZephAir web version for all cities that host a U.S. diplomatic mission worldwide. This innovative forecast was developed by NASA using machine learning, satellite data, and data from the Department’s air quality monitors at 75 embassies and consulates.
The GDI collaborated with NASA through the Health and Air Quality Applied Science Team (HAQAST), utilizing funding from NASA’s Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science grant. The partnership led to the development and integration of the City and Air quality foREcasting and analysis System (CARES) with ZephAir. This system utilizes historical, satellite, and model data outputs to develop a three-day air quality forecast for particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), including daily average and three-hour increments over three days.
This novel forecasting tool provides users with straightforward predictions similar to those obtained from a weather app. It can assist users in planning everything from building operation changes to outdoor activities. The dashboard also allows users to analyze historical air quality data and compare data between posts. Users can access this new platform at https://zephair.stategdi.cloud. Forecasting functionality will be made available on the ZephAir mobile application in summer 2024.
The introduction of this forecast enhances the availability and accessibility of air quality data on a global scale - a first for any government-developed air quality forecast. Both the Department of State and NASA are championing data-informed decision making to safeguard people’s health and wellbeing while expanding data accessibility for those who need it most.
It's important to note that these forecasts are only predictions, expected to improve over time as the dataset expands. They do not yet include troposphic ozone, another major air quality concern alongside PM2.5. If real-time ground-based data is available, users are advised to rely on that for health precautions.
The Department of State’s air quality mobile application, ZephAir, was launched in 2020. Since its launch, ZephAir has been downloaded over 42,000 times and has become the premier source of air quality data globally. Real-time data is available from nearly 80 Department of State air quality monitors and more than 50 reference-grade monitors from other governments worldwide. The app was designed to provide Department employees, their families, and the public with easy access to science-based standardized, reliable, and actionable information from reference-grade monitors that can help protect their health.
For additional information, please contact GDI at DOSAir@state.gov or visit www.state.gov/ecodiplomacy.
