In a world of invisible pollutants
According to researchers from University College London and the Stockholm Environment Institute, more than 91,000 people die in the United States each year due to air pollution. Hundreds of thousands more develop chronic illnesses for the same reason — including cancer. David Kuzovkin has been studying the problem of air contamination and the detection of hazardous airborne compounds for many years. He spent three and a half years at Folter, one of Russia’s largest companies specializing in industrial air-purification systems.
He notes that compared to the situation 20 years ago, businesses have become far more responsible about air-filtration practices. Industrial facilities now widely install filtration systems designed to capture particles invisible to the human eye. Yet the problem remains far from solved. Some companies still rely on outdated equipment — and, critically, industrial emissions are not the only source of harmful pollutants.
According to Kuzovkin, smoke from wildfires poses an enormous risk. In the southern regions of the United States, particularly California, forest fires occur regularly, exposing nearby communities to dangerous air conditions. Vehicle emissions also significantly degrade air quality. Even small businesses — for example, local cafés without proper ventilation systems — can release ultrafine combustion byproducts that negatively affect the health of nearby residents.
The issue, he explains, is compounded by the public’s perception: smoke from wildfires or fumes drifting from a neighborhood pizzeria are rarely seen as a serious health threat. As a result, people take no protective measures. Worse still, many harmful particles cannot be detected by human senses at all — leaving individuals unaware and unprotected as they inhale polluted air. This is precisely why Kuzovkin created AIRGUARD, his unique AI-powered air-quality monitoring system.
Every particle counts
The intelligent monitoring system developed by David Kuzovkin relies on a network of gas analyzers, particulate sensors, and climate detectors. These devices can capture microscopic dust and gas particles that are impossible for humans to perceive. All incoming data is transmitted through a communication gateway to a cloud platform, where it is aggregated and analyzed.
Kuzovkin’s key innovation lies in integrating artificial intelligence into the system. Thanks to AI, he emphasizes, air-quality monitoring is no longer dependent on human oversight. The AI operates around the clock and instantly triggers an alert whenever it detects even the slightest deviation from established air-quality norms.
Schools come first
David Kuzovkin believes that AIRGUARD should be introduced first in schools. Every educational institution has designated safety personnel who can oversee the system’s operation. And because school buildings in the U.S. are typically standardized, it becomes possible to design a unified architecture for deploying distributed sensors — significantly reducing implementation costs.
Among the priority regions are Southern California, particularly Los Angeles, as well as the San Francisco Bay Area, where wildfire smoke poses the most severe risks. In Houston and Dallas, Kuzovkin sees the greatest need in schools located near local oil refineries.
In Chicago, one of the main sources of air pollution is the city’s major rail hub, whose freight operations release large amounts of particulate matter into the air. In the agricultural states of the Midwest, ammonia-based fertilizers represent a significant hazard. In Baltimore and Philadelphia, the intelligent system could help protect communities from industrial emissions, while in Miami and Orlando, pollen is the primary threat. Kuzovkin is also considering deploying AIRGUARD in New York City schools, where dense population and heavy traffic make vehicle exhaust a top concern.
Sensors for subways and buses
Beyond public buildings, David Kuzovkin’s system is also designed for transportation. AIRGUARD can be deployed in buses and metro systems alike. In subway networks, the installation logic mirrors that of public facilities: gas analyzers and particulate sensors are mounted in station lobbies, on platforms, and inside tunnels. The key difference is that sensors are also placed directly inside train cars.
According to Kuzovkin, equipping trains with an intelligent monitoring system would make it possible to track air quality during rush hours and adjust ventilation and air conditioning based on real-time conditions. AIRGUARD could also serve as an additional layer of detection for smoke events within station fire-alarm systems. The system’s bus architecture is entirely unprecedented. Kuzovkin has developed a fully autonomous solution capable of monitoring air quality both inside the cabin and outside the vehicle, transmitting real-time data directly to the driver.
AIRGUARD is also designed for seamless integration with smart-city infrastructure. Kuzovkin believes that large-scale adoption of AI-powered air-quality monitoring systems will play a critical role in preventing emergencies. His one-of-a-kind solution could become a catalyst for identifying sources of atmospheric pollution and for developing fundamentally new air-purification technologies — including outdoor solutions and systems tailored for small businesses. Ultimately, he says, the goal is simple: to ensure every resident can breathe freely without fear for their health.
