When smoke from wildfires or industrial activity moves in, it often reaches your neighborhood long before the news does. Without warning, exposure can happen fast. This is especially impactful for children, older adults, and outdoor workers. That’s why real-time air quality monitoring at the community level is so important. By deploying air quality monitors near schools, parks, and neighborhoods, communities can detect pollution the moment it appears, take action quickly, and keep residents informed and safe. Case Study: Aurora, Colorado Facing growing air quality concerns from traffic, construction, and seasonal wildfires, the City of Aurora needed a better way to track and respond to pollution. The Challenge: No hyperlocal data for neighborhoods Concerned residents unsure when it’s safe to be outside Limited budget for large-scale traditional systems The Solution: We installed 16 AirU Pro monitors across schools, parks, and high-traffic zones. Live data was made available through AirView, giving the city planners and residents access to pollutant levels, trends, and alerts. Key features included: PM2.5, PM10, O₃, CO, NO₂, VOCs, wind speed and direction LTE + GNSS for accurate, connected coverage Custom alerts and downloadable reports for planners The Results: “TELLUS made it easy to set up the air quality monitoring that our community members desired.” — Jeffrey Moore, Energy & Environment Manager, City of Aurora Identified pollution hotspots to support healthier urban planning Launched a public awareness campaign using AirView data Empowered the community and decision makers with tools to make safer decisions Community engagement video showcasing their air quality efforts Learn More About Community Deployments Apply for beta access to test out our new features!
Can Outdoor Pollution Affect Indoor Air? New Study from the University of Utah Says: It Depends.
We spend about 80% of our time indoors, often assuming the air inside is clean. However, new research from the University of Utah, co-led by TELLUS co-founder Dr. Kerry Kelly, reveals that outdoor pollution doesn’t always stay outside. Over 18 months, researchers used TELLUS AirU air quality monitors across the University of Utah’s Salt Lake campus to track how various pollution events like wildfires, temperature inversions, and dust storms affect indoor air. Here’s what they discovered: Inversions and dust typically remain outside. Wildfire smoke, however, can find its way in — especially during peak fire season and in buildings that use air-side economizers. The type of HVAC system in place matters, and better air filters can make a big difference. As we enter another wildfire season, this research is a timely reminder: the air inside your home, office, or classroom may not be as protected as you think. “The good thing is it’s a very solvable problem … Even simple solutions like portable air filters do a great job.” Dr. Kerry Kelly This work highlights a key point we emphasize at TELLUS: You can’t fix what you can’t see. Understanding how air moves and changes is the first step to protecting the people inside. Check out the full study in the June issue of Building and Environment, or learn how TELLUS turns invisible risks into visible, real-time insights. Don’t wait for the smoke to settle. Get visibility into your air quality today. Sources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132325004597#bib0009 https://attheu.utah.edu/research/does-outdoor-air-pollution-affect-indoor-air-quality-it-could-depend-on-buildings-hvac/ Community Air Monitoring Makes the Invisible Visible When smoke from wildfires or industrial activity moves in, it… Read More July 8, 2025 Can Outdoor Pollution Affect Indoor Air? New Study from the University of Utah Says: It Depends. We spend about 80% of our time indoors, often assuming… Read More June 12, 2025 Dust Storm Drops Salt Lake City’s Air Quality to Unhealthy Levels On the night of April 8, a powerful cold front… Read More May 14, 2025 The Air You Stir Up: How Vacuuming Affects Indoor Air Quality Now that it’s spring, many of us are starting to… Read More April 23, 2025 TELLUS Featured on FOX 13 News During Salt Lake City Fire Response Last Friday, a large fire at Metro Group Recycling in… Read More April 16, 2025 Air Quality Monitor Deployment for Davis County Engages Community The Davis County Health Department is enhancing air quality awareness… Read More January 21, 2025 Davis County installs new TELLUS AirU Pro air quality monitors Davis County has improved access to real-time air quality data… Read More January 15, 2025 TELLUS AirView Featured on Fox-13 We’re excited to share another Fox-13 broadcast featuring TELLUS! Over… Read More December 10, 2024 “Tools to help you better monitor Utah’s air quality” – Kerry Kelly on KSL TELLUS Co-Founder Kerry Kelly on KSL: Tools for Monitoring Utah’s… Read More December 3, 2024 What U. researchers are learning about dangers associated with Great Salt Lake dust Researchers from the University of Utah have found that the… Read More September 19, 2024 Load More
Dust Storm Drops Salt Lake City’s Air Quality to Unhealthy Levels
On the night of April 8, a powerful cold front swept through Salt Lake City, bringing with it a massive dust storm that briefly obscured the skyline and spiked air quality index (AQI) levels to 129—unhealthy for sensitive groups. Captured on camera atop the University of Utah’s William Browning Building, the event revealed just how quickly conditions can change. Dust from Utah’s West Desert, Sevier Lake, and parts of eastern Nevada was carried into the city by wind gusts over 45 mph. This dramatic drop in air quality highlights a growing year-round concern across the West, where drought, exposed soil, and high winds contribute to more frequent dust events—adding to existing air quality challenges like inversions, ozone, and wildfire smoke. At TELLUS, our real-time monitoring systems are designed to capture these changes as they happen—empowering communities with data that’s both actionable and easy to understand. Read the full story or see real-time air quality data.
The Air You Stir Up: How Vacuuming Affects Indoor Air Quality
Now that it’s spring, many of us are starting to dive into our spring cleaning routines. While tidying up can help refresh our homes, there’s a hidden concern that often goes overlooked: the effect of vacuuming on indoor air quality. Vacuuming: A Double-Edged Sword for Your Home’s Air Quality Vacuuming keeps our living spaces clean, but it can worsen the air quality in your home over the short term because it stirs up particulate matter (PM). According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, when you vacuum, your cleaning efforts can cause a temporary resuspension of dust, dirt, and even toxic substances, such as lead, pesticides, and biological agents that can trigger allergic reactions. While the purpose of vacuuming is to remove these particles from our floors, some of them can get kicked back into the air, only to settle again on furniture, floors, and other surfaces. Some of these suspended particles can stay airborne for a significant amount of time – long enough for you to breathe them in. The Hidden Risks: How Dust Impacts Your Health Some dust particles are small enough to be inhaled, these are known as PM10 (particulate matter that is 10 micrometers or less in diameter). Inhaling these particles during vacuuming can lead to respiratory irritation, worsen allergies, or trigger asthma symptoms. These particles can be especially harmful to those with pre-existing respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems. What Can You Do to Minimize the Impact? Use a HEPA Filter Vacuum Investing in a vacuum with a HEPA filter can significantly reduce the amount of dust that is resuspended into the air during vacuuming. HEPA filters can also capture particles that are suspended, improving the overall air quality in your home and reducing the amount of allergens floating around. It’s important to note that a true HEPA filter in a well-designed vacuum with a sealed system can greatly improve indoor air quality, but if the vacuum leaks air or uses a low-quality filter, it may be a marketing gimmick. Keep the Windows Open While you’re vacuuming, consider opening windows or doors to improve airflow allowing particles to exit rather than circulate inside. Make sure it’s a day where the air quality is good, though, as letting in unhealthy air is counterproductive. Vacuum When You’re Not Home For those who have robot vacuums, this is a great solution to reduce your exposure to dust. Set your robot vacuum to clean while you’re away so you don’t inhale the dust it stirs up. Change the Filter on Your HVAC System A well-maintained HVAC furnace or central heating and cooling system filter can trap dust, pollen, and other particles, improving your indoor air quality. Improving your home’s air quality goes beyond just cleaning the floors. Make sure you change your HVAC filter at the recommended intervals. Changing your filter can provide a significant boost to the air cleanliness in your home. Just remember, while filtration helps, it cannot eliminate all pollutants, so it’s best to combine it with other strategies like ventilation and source control for optimal results. AirView showing a spike in PM levels caused by vacuuming indoors. How TELLUS Can Help You Monitor Air Quality Spring cleaning can stir up dust, but that doesn’t mean it has to impact your indoor air quality. With an AirU monitor, you can see real-time data about the air in and around your home – so you know when it might be time to open a window, switch up your vacuum, or swap out that HVAC filter. It’s a simple way to stay informed and make small changes that help you breathe a little easier. Contact us for more information! Wishing you a happy and healthy spring cleaning season!
TELLUS Featured on FOX 13 News During Salt Lake City Fire Response
Last Friday, a large fire at Metro Group Recycling in Salt Lake City sent smoke billowing across the valley, raising concerns about air quality. As firefighters worked to contain the blaze, our Director of Product Development, Tom Becnel, joined FOX 13 News on-site to demonstrate how the AirU Pro was tracking real-time changes in air quality. Using AirView, Tom showed viewers elevated AQI levels near the fire, with our monitors shifting from yellow to orange—signaling a rise to potentially hazardous conditions.y This real-world example highlights the importance of live air quality data when incidents like this affect the health and safety of our communities. To see the full story and Tom’s interview, visit FOX 13’s website for the complete coverage.
Air Quality Monitor Deployment for Davis County Engages Community
The Davis County Health Department is enhancing air quality awareness by installing 41 TELLUS air quality sensors throughout the county. These sensors provide real-time data accessible through the health department’s website and TELLUS’s AirView app. Unlike standard consumer-grade monitors, these sensors offer more reliable and accurate data without the high cost of state-level monitoring systems. Currently, 25 sensors are live, creating a comprehensive county-wide heat map of air quality. Residents can zoom in on sensors near their homes or destinations to make informed decisions about their daily activities. “This initiative empowers the community with real-time insights,” said Brian Hatch, Director of the Davis County Health Department. Over time, the sensors will help identify pollution sources, like dust from the Great Salt Lake, enabling public health officials to address specific local challenges effectively. Stay informed with real-time air quality updates and explore Davis County’s new air quality map today! Read the full article here:
Davis County installs new TELLUS AirU Pro air quality monitors
Davis County has improved access to real-time air quality data with the installation of 24 TELLUS AirView monitors. These devices, placed from Antelope Island to local refineries, help residents better understand the county’s air quality challenges, particularly its susceptibility to inversion layers due to unique geography. The initiative aims to provide more accurate and actionable insights for the community. See Davis County Air Quality Map here.
TELLUS AirView Featured on Fox-13
We’re excited to share another Fox-13 broadcast featuring TELLUS! Over the past months, we’ve been consistently providing them with air quality data to support their reporting and keep communities informed. Check out the latest clip to see how our real-time data is helping shed light on local air quality challenges. Watch the broadcast here!
“Tools to help you better monitor Utah’s air quality” – Kerry Kelly on KSL
TELLUS Co-Founder Kerry Kelly on KSL: Tools for Monitoring Utah’s Air Quality Last night, our very own Kerry Kelly—Associate Professor at the University of Utah and a founding member of TELLUS—joined KSL to discuss innovative tools and strategies for improving air quality in Utah. From cutting-edge monitoring technology to actionable data insights, Kerry shared how these tools empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions. Watch the full segment below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxAivOhDdX8
What U. researchers are learning about dangers associated with Great Salt Lake dust
Researchers from the University of Utah have found that the exposed lakebed of the Great Salt Lake is emitting potentially harmful dust, raising concerns about its impact on air quality along the Wasatch Front. The study revealed that sediments from the lakebed contain high levels of toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, and lithium, which could irritate lungs and contribute to respiratory issues like asthma. Although it’s not a doomsday scenario, further research is needed to determine how much of this dust reaches nearby population centers. Efforts to mitigate the dust involve restoring water to the lake and resetting the lakebed’s natural crust. The lake’s decline is attributed to excessive water use, meaning conservation efforts could help reverse the damage. Read the full article here: https://www.ksl.com/article/51127952