Clip It to Your Bag and Check Air Pollution in Real Time

A research team at the University of Milan-Bicocca in Italy has developed 'RESPIRO', a portable air quality monitoring device. This device can be attached to bags, backpacks, or jackets, allowing users to measure surrounding air pollution levels while on the move.

RESPIRO stands for 'Real-time Environmental Sensing for Personal Intelligent Risk Optimization' and was jointly developed by the University of Milan-Bicocca, Rome Advanced District (ROAD), and startup XearPro.

Simultaneous Measurement of 7 Parameters, GPS-Based Pollution Mapping

RESPIRO simultaneously measures seven atmospheric environmental indicators: carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ultrafine particles, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. All measurements are recorded with GPS location data, creating real-time air quality maps of the routes users travel.

An LED screen instantly displays the current air quality status, and a dedicated app connected via Bluetooth sends alerts when pollution levels reach dangerous thresholds. This data can be used not only for personal health management but also for citizen science projects, where measurements from multiple users are aggregated to build pollution maps of entire cities.

Simultaneous Trials in Milan and Rome, Supporting Safe Route Selection

Experiments are currently underway around the University of Milan-Bicocca campus and in Rome's Ostiense district, where volunteers, students, and researchers wear RESPIRO to collect data. Data collected simultaneously in both cities will be provided to local governments and research institutions for use in urban planning and environmental policy development.

Giovanna Iannantuoni, Rector of the University of Milan-Bicocca, explained, "This device is a health companion that helps citizens monitor their surrounding environment and navigate the city more safely. Thanks to its low-cost production structure, it has high potential for widespread adoption."

Claudio Granata, President of the Rome Advanced District, stated, "Through RESPIRO, we have achieved the first concrete results of citizen-participatory environmental monitoring, and it will expand to more cities in the future."

From Personal Health to Urban Environment: Data-Driven Decision Making

The reason RESPIRO is attracting attention lies in its provision of personalized environmental information. Existing air quality monitoring stations collect data only from fixed locations, making it difficult for citizens to know the air conditions along routes they actually travel. Because RESPIRO is worn and carried by users, it can accurately assess air quality along frequently used routes in daily life, such as commuting paths, walking trails, and bicycle lanes.

Particularly vulnerable groups such as those with respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly can use this information to select safer routes. The app sends immediate alerts when pollution levels at the current location reach dangerous thresholds, enabling users to respond in real time.