The Library will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 in observance of New Year's Eve
and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in observance of New Year’s Day.

Collecting Data Around the Neighborhood - Mobile Session via Wi-Fi or Cellular Network & Bluetooth

Step 1

Make sure your smart device is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network and that Bluetooth and GPS/location finder are enabled.

Step 2

Download and install the AirCasting app (iOS | Android) via Wi-Fi or cellular connection.Open the app when installation is complete.

Step 3

Follow the prompts on screen to create an AirCasting account and sign in. If you already have an AirCasting profile, sign in. If you prefer to start with an anonymous account, sign in using LAPL’s generic user login credentials found in the instructions packet in the kit.

Step 4

Tap Record new session or the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the Dashboard screen.

Step 5

On the Let’s begin screen, tap Mobile session.

Step 6

If the message Use your location appears on the screen, tap Okay.

Step 7

Tap Allow, Allow All the Time, or Allow While Using App then tap Continue to Turn on location services to allow the AirCasting app to access your smart device’s location.

Important Note

  • Data recording sessions without geolocations (i.e., GPS or location finder is off) cannot be synced to the AirCasting website.

Step 8

Tap Bluetooth device on screen.


Step 9

If the message AirCasting would like to use Bluetooth appears on screen, tap OK, then tap Continue to Turn on Bluetooth to enable your smart device to pair with the AirBeam3 air sensor.

Step 10

Power on the AirBeam3. See the figure below to locate the power button.

diagram of AirBeam3

Important Notes

  • After turning on the AirBeam3, you will hear a fan humming on the inside and the Connection Indicator light will first turn white then green.
  • If you are unsure if the AirBeam3 unit is on or off, you can listen to hear if the fan is running (humming sound). When the AirBeam3 is off, the fan will not run.
  • If the AirBeam3 does not turn on, it may need to be charged. To charge the AirBeam3, use the USB-C charging cord and charger included in the kit.
  • The Battery Charging light will turn green when the AirBeam3 is charging and turns off when it is either fully charged or unplugged.

Step 11

When the AirBeam3 sensor’s connection indicator light turns to solid Green, tap Continue on screen.

Step 12

On the “Choose the device you’d like to record with” screen, scroll to find and tap the AirBeam3 with a serial number that matches the label on the back of your air sensor and then tap Connect. When the screen reads AirBeam connected tap Continue.

Troubleshooting Tip

  • Don’t see the device with your serial number? Tap the “Don’t see the device? Refresh scanning” to refresh the list.

Important Note

  • Once the smart device and AirBeam3 are paired via Bluetooth, the Connection Indicator light on the bottom of the AirBeam3 will turn solid blue. Note that the blue light on the bottom of the AirBeam3 will eventually turn off. This is normal and does not mean your AirBeam3 is off.

Step 13

Enter a descriptive and appropriate session name and tags and tap Continue. Note: Session name will be publicly viewable on the AirCasting website. Tags can help you find your AirCasting session on the website.

Step 14

Make sure your starting location is accurate on the map, then tap Start recording and begin your walk around the neighborhood.

Important Note

  • When the sensor starts recording and sending data, the indicator light will turn solid white for 120 seconds, then blink white once every ten seconds to show the Bluetooth is connected and transmitting data.

Step 15

Keep the AirBeam3 and your smart device within 10-20 feet of each other, so Bluetooth will work.


Step 16

During your walk, make a note of any significant fluctuations in Particulate Matter (PM) values by tapping the three horizontal ellipses (···), then pressing “Add a note." Some examples that may cause fluctuations are passing vehicles, lawn mowing, cigarette smoke, fire nearby, etc.

Step 17

To stop recording air quality data, tap the three horizontal ellipses (···), then tap Finish recording session. Confirm to stop recording the session by tapping the Finish recording button again. The Connection Indicator Light will blink yellow to show Bluetooth is disconnected.

Important Note

  • When you finish recording a session, it will be moved to the Mobile dormant tab of the Dashboard screen in the app and you will not be able to add new measurements to it. You can check by tapping the Mobile dormant tab on screen to see if your last recorded session is on the list.

Step 18

Power off the AirBeam3 air quality sensor.

Step 19

After you are finished recording your session, Connect your smart device to a Wi-Fi or cellular network to sync the session(s) you just recorded. The syncing process may take up to 20 minutes depending on your Wi-Fi strength. Note: As a reminder, all data, including any notes you took with the app during your session, will automatically be transmitted to the AirCasting Map website.

Step 20

To start a new data recording session, tap Record mobile session button or the plus (+) icon or at the bottom of the Dashboard screen and repeat Steps 4-19.

Step 21

When you are ready to return the Monitoring Air Quality with AirBeam3 kit to the library, please complete the survey (if included).

Step 22

Before returning the kit, make sure that the AirBeam3 air quality sensor and the WiFi digital microscope are turned off, and all accessories (e.g., the charging cable, carabiner clip, observation journal, magnifier, etc.) are in the clear messenger bag they came in.

Top