Transforming Urban Health: IoT-Driven Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Citizen Empowerment

Project Description

This collaborative research project between the University of Hull (UoH), UK and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) aims to assess and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) awareness and management in Chennai, India, focusing specifically on asthma patients. We will monitor critical indoor pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10) by utilising IoT-enabled low-cost sensors (LCS), delivering real-time, personalised data to participants through a mobile app. These insights are designed to highlight pollutant sources, patterns, and health impacts within indoor environments, providing users with actionable information based on their routine indoor activities. To maximise the effectiveness of our digital interventions, we employ the COM-B model, which emphasises Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation to encourage and sustain positive behaviour changes. For example, by enhancing the Capability component, we empower patients to interpret IAQ data and make informed choices about ventilation, household products, and indoor activities. Opportunity-focused interventions include community support networks that foster shared learning and best practices, while Motivation is strengthened through feedback loops and health improvements associated with behaviour adjustments. This project addresses critical challenges in smart city design by involving citizens in data collection, analysis, and environmental health interventions. Insights gained from this research will offer a replicable framework for managing IAQ in urban settings, particularly for vulnerable populations like asthma patients. Furthermore, the data-driven findings will contribute to academic knowledge, inform urban health policy, and encourage sustainable living practices, reinforcing the partnership’s broader objectives of promoting environmental sustainability, citizen engagement, and impactful public health outcomes in urban India.