Community Environmental Health Monitoring: Solar-Powered IoT Air Quality Assessment for Public Health Decision-Making

Abstract

Environmental health disparities notably affect communities that lack access to real-time air quality data, which is crucial for making informed public health decisions. This study develops and evaluates a solar-powered IoT environmental health monitoring system to address environmental health information inequities through sustainable, community-centered implementation. Temperature-humidity sensor, barometric pressure sensor, gas sensor, and optical dust sensor are integrated with ESP32 microcontroller and Things Board IoT platform, powered by solar panels, for energy autonomy. Mobile interface provide community members with real-time environmental data and local air quality information. Field deployment in Malacca, Malaysia, showed successful continuous operation with a highly cost-effective system that saved money compared to commercial alternatives and had zero operational electricity expenses due to solar autonomy. Results showed large multi-dimensional outcomes, including increased community environmental health awareness, social cohesion supporting collaborative action, and strong connection with six Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The implementation greatly improved community access to real-time air quality data, addressing environmental health inequities and laying the groundwork for community-based activism. Environmental sustainability assessment found little ecological footprint with renewable energy operation supporting climate mitigation through fossil fuel displacement and adaptation through community monitoring capability. This study offers a reproducible, economically viable paradigm for technical innovation, community empowerment, environmental preservation, and sustainable development. The findings affect environmental health policy, community-based surveillance expansion, and environmental justice through accessible monitoring technology.