BackpAQ began with a simple belief: that every student deserves to understand the air they breathe — and the tools to do something about it.
BackpAQ is a low-cost air quality monitoring tool that measures hyperlocal concentrations of harmful microscopic particles in the air, known as particulate matter, alongside gases including CO2, NO2 and VOC.
In conjunction with the free-to-use BackpAQ AIView analytics and data visualization platform, BackpAQ makes a comprehensive system for investigating, identifying, reporting — and ultimately taking action on — air pollution concerns in your local environment.
Whether you're walking to school, exploring your neighborhood, or conducting field research, BackpAQ goes with you and records the air quality story of your journey in real time.
BackpAQ grew out of a conviction that low-cost environmental monitoring tools could have outsized impact when placed in the hands of intellectually curious students and community members.
Community-based organizations and sustainability-minded non-profits launched the first version of BackpAQ, putting air quality sensing tools into the hands of students for the first time.
Encouraged by early impact, BackpAQ Labs formally launched — expanding the technology platform with a smartphone app and a web-based analytics and visualization dashboard.
As more students successfully used BackpAQ in the field, their feedback helped shape and refine every aspect of the platform — from sensor accuracy to the user interface.
The current generation — BackpAQ V4 — represents years of iteration with 2,000+ students across 3 school districts. Now featuring AI-powered insights and AirBuddy, a first-of-its-kind gamification layer that makes air quality science engaging and fun.
There are three aspects that make BackpAQ unique among environmental monitoring tools.
Goes with you on walks, bike rides, indoors or out. BackpAQ is designed to be carried — not left on a desk. If you're moving, it's measuring.
Not just PM2.5 or CO2 — both, plus NO2 and VOC. Most consumer monitors pick one. BackpAQ gives you the full picture of what's in the air around you.
Graph your data, sync it with a map of your journey, compare it to EPA baselines, and ask an AI advisor for instant scientific context. Then meet AirBuddy — your personal air quality companion who reacts to everything you measure.
BackpAQ is built for anyone who cares about the air in their community. Our platform is used by a wide range of people and organizations working toward cleaner, healthier environments.
Together, BackpAQ users are building a grassroots map of air pollution — one neighborhood, one school route, one breath at a time.
Join thousands of students already mapping their world's air quality. Get a BackpAQ and start measuring today.