FLIR OGI & Air Monitoring Projects
Making the Invisible Visible: FLIR Optical Gas Imaging
One of the most powerful tools in our toolkit is Forward Looking Infrared Optical Gas Imaging (FLIR OGI) technology. Many harmful gases and chemical emissions are invisible to the naked eye and undetectable without specialized equipment. FLIR OGI cameras reveal these hidden pollutants by capturing real-time images of gas plumes and emissions that communities often smell, taste, or see but cannot prove.
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By visually documenting these emissions, FLIR OGI helps validate community members’ experiences of environmental pollution—strengthening their voices in advocacy and enforcement efforts. This technology enables us to identify exact sources of toxic releases, support regulatory actions, and increase accountability for polluters.
Air quality monitoring is a vital tool for identifying pollution sources, protecting public health, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and supporting scientific research. It enables communities to pinpoint harmful emissions, understand their health impacts, and advocate for policies that reduce pollution and improve quality of life.
Particulate Matter (PM): Tiny particles suspended in the air, including dust, pollen, combustion particles, and metals.
PM is classified by size:​
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​Coarse particles (PM10): Particles smaller than 10 micrometers (μm), including dust and pollen.
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Fine and ultrafine particles (PM2.5 and smaller): Particles smaller than 2.5 μm that penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream. Exposure is linked to premature death, heart attacks, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and respiratory symptoms.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Toxic vapors emitted from chemical spills, industrial activity, and oil & gas operations. VOCs cause irritation, headaches, organ damage, and contribute to ozone formation. Some are carcinogenic.
What Pollutants Are We Monitoring?
Community-Driven Science: Why It Matters
PSR PA’s approach centers on community-based participatory science, where residents are engaged partners in data collection, analysis, and advocacy. We believe community-led monitoring turns data into a tool for environmental justice.
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We train residents to use affordable sensors and amplify the data with advanced technologies like FLIR OGI, building local capacity to document pollution and demand change. This collaborative process ensures that scientific data reflects lived experiences and empowers communities to influence policies that protect their health.
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Conducting air quality monitoring and FLIR OGI emissions imaging to document pollution sources.
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Partnering with residents and grassroots organizations to collect, interpret, and share real-time data.
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Providing education and tools for communities to understand pollution impacts.
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Using data to advocate for stronger policies, reduce emissions, enhance community and worker safety, and advance environmental justice.
Our projects are ongoing across Pennsylvania, and we share findings with communities as studies progress.
How PSR PA Supports Communities
Join PSR PA’s statewide air monitoring network through our partnership with Temboo. Share your air quality data, stories, and photos to help build a comprehensive pollution map that supports community advocacy.
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For more information or to participate, email us at air@psrpa.org.
Get Involved
If you observe environmental emergencies such as chemical spills, radiation leaks, or other public health threats, please report them to:
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Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH): https://forms.health.pa.gov/environmental-health-concern/
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):
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Emergencies: (800) 541-2050
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Complaints: (866) 255-5158
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Response Center:
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Emergencies: (800) 424-8802
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Complaints: (215) 814-5000 or (800) 438-2474
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Submitting reports creates a permanent record to support future community and regulatory actions.