Comments on: Catching the Citizen Science Curve

By: Dustin

Dustin — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:07:18 +0000

w harter – I can’t speak to what happened at that meeting, but data collected at local and state levels presents similar opportunities and risks compared with citizen science data. The March workshop will focus on ideas and discussions such as the definition of “good” data and the ways in which different qualities of data can be used.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:06:20 +0000

Ernest – Using citizen-based monitoring to act as a guide for the more expensive equipment is a possible scenario in the future. Your example of radiation ties in to a problem with air pollution: It moves. Having smaller, portable monitors that are inexpensive yet still sensitive and reliable would be great as one part of a front line that could signal areas that need further measurements with the super-precise equipment.

By: w harter

w harter — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:17:43 +0000

This is interesting information and hope that EPA will make use of such data in a constructive manner. It is most interesting in that just this year I attended an enviromental meeting where EPA was quoted as going to use only “air quality modeling” data and disregard the monitoring data that our state has collected.

By: Ernest Martinson

Ernest Martinson — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:43:38 +0000

I am wondering if citizens could use relatively inexpensive or insensitive monitors to detect pollution action limits that could trigger followup by more professional monitors. An example is radiation fallout that can vary with location and weather conditions.