New Historical AQ Data Sources for 10 locations in 9 countries (4 new!) on OpenAQ

OpenAQ now aggregates PM2.5 data from our first historical (non-real-time) research-grade source from the SPARTAN project at Dalhousie University! SPARTAN (Surface PARTiculate mAtter Network) is a spectacular initiative to measure PM around the world due to “insufficient coverage at the global scale to allow assessment of long-term human exposure to fine particulate matter.” Data are collected from 13 countries in the 14 locations shown below, and the OpenAQ platform is currently aggregating from 10 locations in 9 cities (listed further down. Note: our platform does not yet aggregate from the South Africa, Argentina, or Canada locations.):

SPARTAN PM2.5 data is measured by groups in 13 different locations in the world. Image from: http://spartan-network.org/data/sites/ Note: The OpenAQ platform does not yet aggregate from the South Africa, Argentina, or Canada locations. Image Courtesy: SPARTAN

Since these data originate from a source type we previously haven’t included — research grade data, as opposed to government-created public data, we have created new additions to our data format and adjusted our database schema accordingly, and you can read more about that here.

Like all data aggregated onto OpenAQ, SPARTAN data are accessible via our open API, the Sources page or daily-generated flat files here. As shown in the attribution field for any data accessed, please give proper attribution to the SPARTAN Team. You can learn more about their data policy here.

Here’s the list of locations where OpenAQ is aggregating SPARTAN data:

• Atlanta, USA
• Bandung, Indonesia
• Beijing, China
• Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Hanoi, Vietnam
• Ilorin, Nigeria
• Kanpur, India
• Mammoth Cave National Park, USA
• Rehovet, Israel
• Singapore

Thanks to the SPARTAN team for making their data available on our site. Learn more about the SPARTAN project and the people who run it here!