RGISC Seeks 35 Air Monitoring Hosts Across Laredo and Nuevo Laredo

The nonprofit aims to expand its binational air quality data collection network.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) is seeking approximately 35 volunteer hosts across Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to install free air quality sensors on their properties. The sensors will collect year-round data to help track pollution trends, strengthen environmental advocacy, and protect public health in the border region.

Why it matters

This community-powered air monitoring project builds on RGISC's previous efforts to collect air quality data near the World Trade Bridge. Expanding the sensor network to neighborhoods on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border will provide a more comprehensive picture of air pollution levels and trends, which can inform policy decisions and public health initiatives.

The details

RGISC is looking for hosts in specific neighborhoods in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo that have been identified as in need of additional air quality monitoring. Residents who volunteer to host a sensor will receive the equipment for free and will be contributing to a binational data collection effort.

  • RGISC launched Phase 1 of the air monitoring project in 2024.
  • Phase 2, the current expansion, was announced on March 1, 2026.

The players

RGISC

The Rio Grande International Study Center is a nonprofit organization focused on environmental advocacy and research in the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo border region.

UMass Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Amherst partnered with RGISC on the initial phase of the air monitoring project in 2024.

Dr. Anjala Pyakurel

The project manager for RGISC's community air quality monitoring initiative.

Adrian Tristan

The community organizer for RGISC's community air quality monitoring initiative.

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What’s next

Residents interested in hosting an air sensor can apply through a Google Forms link or contact Project Manager Dr. Anjala Pyakurel or Community Organizer Adrian Tristan.

The takeaway

This expansion of RGISC's community air monitoring project demonstrates the organization's commitment to collecting comprehensive data on air quality in the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo region, which can inform environmental policy and public health initiatives on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.