This paper aims to improve understanding of how citizen science initiatives improve understanding on the methodologies and outcomes of citizen science initiatives that are focused on sources of air pollution. Growing awareness of the health and environmental burden of air pollution combined with access to new low cost air pollution monitors has helped drive the explosion of citizen science initiatives. Despite this momentum, there remains little public attention to the sources or drivers of air pollution. Without greater emphasis on source awareness, scientists or community members using citizen science techniques cannot effectively identify or target interventions that cut emissions or build pressure for policies that hold specific polluters accountable to legal pollutant limits or best practices.