Detect
Low-cost open monitoring tools make outdoor and indoor airborne risks visible where public data is missing.
Open Air Foundation
Cleaner air startswith local action.
We build shared infrastructure for healthier air: open tools, trusted data, and the local skills to put them to use. Together, these help communities understand the air they breathe and act on the evidence.
What We Do
The tools to understand. The support to act.
Our four programme areas connect community monitoring, open technology, shared learning, and research into practical protection.
Community Air Quality Monitoring
Community-led monitoring creates local evidence where reliable air quality data is missing, with support to establish and sustain networks.
Explore programme
Global Capacity Building
Local teams gain the skills to install monitors, interpret measurements, communicate risks, and turn evidence into action.
Explore programme
Open Source Stewardship
Open hardware, software, data systems, and documentation keep useful tools accessible and adaptable.
Explore programme
Biosafety and Airborne Hazards
Affordable approaches to airborne protection connect air quality expertise with preparedness through development and testing.
Explore programmeAirGradient community experience: Lagos, Nigeria
When local evidence makes change possible.
In a Lagos fish-smoking community, local monitoring helped make invisible exposure visible. The data supported a clearer case for changing how smoke exposure was being managed. The Lagos Environmental Protection Agency later installed smokeless eco-kilns, showing how local evidence can help connect community concern with practical intervention.
Understand
Open data systems, dashboards, interpretation support, and training turn measurements into trusted local evidence.
Protect
Evidence supports cleaner indoor air, filtration, ventilation, smoke and dust response, public communication, advocacy, and reduced exposure.
Projects
From local monitoring to shared solutions
Community partnerships, open guidance, and research into practical protection.
Africa Clean Air Network
The Sensor Bank Scheme places calibrated monitors into the hands of researchers, institutions, and community groups across Africa. OAF’s initial contribution supports access to monitoring equipment where it is needed.
Explore project
Aerosol Protection and Detection for Biosecurity
Developing improvised building protections against outdoor aerosols and aerosol sensors for environment-to-human exposure scenarios.
Explore project
One Air Toolkit
An indoor–outdoor extension to the existing air quality monitoring toolkit, connecting measurements with practical action.
Explore projectAir Quality Map
See where air quality monitoring is missing.
This open-source map brings public air quality measurements together to reveal gaps in monitoring. Developed by AirGradient, it is one of the open tools supporting the foundation’s work.
Free, open, and ready to use
Start with a question. Build a monitoring project.
Plan, set up, and run a local air quality monitoring network. Step-by-step guides, illustrated manuals, and video tutorials help you choose monitoring locations, install sensors, check data quality, and use the results to support your community.
Developed by AirGradient with the UNDP Global Centre in Singapore. Available in English and Vietnamese.
Explore the toolkitHow to Work With OAF
Help communities turn evidence into action.
Whether you are funding the work or leading a local project, there is a place for you in building healthier communities.
Support Our Work
Help build and sustain the infrastructure communities depend on: reliable monitoring, maintained open tools, and trained local teams.
Discuss a funding partnershipCommunity Grants
Bring local knowledge and a plan. Explore support for equipment, deployment, and the skills to use it.
Explore Community Grants