REAL LIFE NEWS: PIGEONS TO MONITOR LONDON’S POLLUTION
by Hazed
In London we consider pigeons to be a nuisance – they deposit their droppings everywhere, they spread disease, and they spread disease. They are just flying rats.
But maybe I am being too harsh. A tech company has found a use for these winged vermin: they have fitted them with sensors which will monitor pollution levels in the capital. The tiny backpacks monitor nitrogen dioxide, ozone and volatile compounds.
This scheme was the winning entry in a design competition. Ten racing pigeons are being used, and vets will be checking to make sure the birds are not suffering any distress from being put to work.
Pollution is a problem in many cities, and London is no exception: the source article below says that 10,000 people die from air pollution each year in London. (This figure sounds a bit suspect to me and I would love to see how it was calculated!)
The project is being carried out by Plume Labs, who said it hopes to “show Londoners how air pollution affects them, especially during rush hour” using the pigeon air patrol service. They also want to encourage Londoners to become beta testers for a wearable version of Plume Labs’ air pollution measuring device.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35805304
