CleanAirTracker wins Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’s Seventh District

When asked what inspired the creation of CleanAirTracker, the students said, “Our biggest motivation in creating CleanAirTracker is to aid in the lives of others with respiratory complications, such as those with asthma and COPD. Personally, my grandmother suffers from breathing complications that disturb her everyday life. Witnessing her struggles served as a poignant reminder of the millions of people worldwide dealing with similar difficulties. We soon realized that air pollution was a significant contributor to their health challenges. Regions with air pollution levels exceeding certain thresholds could significantly exacerbate respiratory problems, making life more challenging for people like my grandmother. 

This realization fueled our desire to develop a solution that could provide real-time information about air quality and help individuals with respiratory conditions make informed choices about their surroundings. However, our inspiration didn’t stop there. We were also deeply concerned about the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in the United States, particularly in states like Texas and California, by aiding residents by providing them with essential safety information through our real-time pollution. Tracking air pollution emerged as the most effective way to achieve this, given that wildfires release various hazardous chemicals, including carbon monoxide, which can have severe health implications. Our app is a testament to our dedication to making the world a safer and healthier place for everyone.”