Air quality science, product updates, use case deep-dives, and research from the Trace AQ team.
Air Quality Science
We compare traditional machine learning approaches with physics-constrained models for predicting PM2.5 concentrations during active wildfire events. The results are striking — and have implications for how we should build environmental AI systems at scale.
Use Cases
Smart City Air Quality Integration: A Technical Guide for Municipal EngineersA step-by-step walkthrough of integrating the Trace AQ REST API into city infrastructure management dashboards using Python and Node.js SDKs.
Research
PM2.5 Exposure and Hospital Admissions: Closing the Data Gap with Hyperlocal ForecastingNew study leveraging Trace AQ data demonstrates a 23% improvement in anticipating respiratory-related ED admissions with 48-hour forecast data.
Technology
How We Use GOES-R Satellite Data to Detect Wildfire Smoke Plumes in Near Real TimeA deep dive into our satellite ingestion pipeline — from raw GOES-R imagery to actionable smoke alerts within 15 minutes of data acquisition.
Healthcare
Air Quality Alerts in Clinical Practice: How Austin Public Health Uses Trace AQA case study from Austin Public Health on how Trace AQ's 4-day forecasting enabled proactive advisories during the Texas wildfire smoke event of 2025.
Developer
Introducing the Trace AQ Python SDK v2: WebSocket Support and Async First DesignWe've rebuilt the Python SDK from the ground up with async/await support, WebSocket streaming for real-time data, and a redesigned query builder interface.
Product
Global Coverage Expansion: Trace AQ Now Supports 50+ Cities Across North America and EuropeWe're excited to announce expanded coverage to 15 new metropolitan areas, including London, Toronto, and Chicago, with enhanced PM10 and NO2 forecasting.
Air Quality Science
Understanding AQI: A Plain-Language Guide to the Air Quality IndexWhat the numbers mean, which pollutants they cover, and why the same AQI value can mean very different things for different people.
Technology
Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors: Accuracy, Calibration, and When to Trust ThemHow consumer-grade sensors like PurpleAir compare to reference instruments, where they fail, and how to use them responsibly in environmental applications.