Measure fine particulate matter (PM2.5). PM
2.5 can be affected by the weather, so it could be helpful if your sensor measures temperature and humidity too.
Learn more about PM2.5. Caution: some sensors don't perform well when PM
2.5 concentrations are very high, such as during a wildfire smoke event. If you're using your sensor when it's very smoky, be aware that the very high concentrations might not be accurate.
Focus on measuring nitrogen oxides(NOx)from emissions. Road traffic also generates fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from emissions, and coarse particulate matter (PM10) from road dust.
Learn more about NOx and
particulate matter.
Focus on measuring nitrogen oxides(NOx)from emissions. Rail traffic also generates fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from emissions.
Learn more about NOx and
particulate matter.
Focus on measuring nitrogen oxides(NOx)from emissions. Marine traffic also generates fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from emissions. Learn more about NOx and
particulate matter.
Measure ground level ozone (O3), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Some air contaminants, such as ozone and PM
2.5, can be affected by the weather, so it could be helpful if your sensor measures temperature and humidity too. Learn more about
O3,
PM2.5, and
NO2.
Measure ground level ozone (O3), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Different industries can emit different types of air contaminants, but the most common air contaminants that can be harmful to your health are O
3, PM
2.5, and NO
2. O
3 and PM
2.5 can be affected by the weather, so it could be helpful if your sensor measures temperature and humidity too. Learn more about
O3,
PM2.5, and
NO2.
Measure common indoor air contaminants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Caution: Indoor air contaminant types and levels can differ from outdoor air contaminants. Some pollutants, such as ozone, won't be very high indoors. Most small sensors also should not be used for regulatory monitoring of workplace indoor air quality, as more sophisticated instruments are typically used in these situations.
Be waterproof. Caution: Cables and power supply should also be waterproof. Some sensors might be water resistant, but can get damaged by heavy rain. If your sensor needs to be plugged in, make sure you have a power outlet nearby. If you're installing your sensor outside, it should not be placed close to a source of air contaminants, such as a BBQ, or obstructions (walls or windows) that could affect air flow around your sensor, otherwise your air quality data might not be typical of the air quality in your area.
Be designed to be wearable. Caution: what is the battery life? Does it have a GPS to link your location to the air quality data? Does it need to be linked to a phone/app to record data, and if so, does it need to be near a phone or connected to wi-fi to record data? Is the sensor waterproof?
Have a screen to display data. Caution: If data is displayed on the sensor, how "real time" is it? Is it an average over a few seconds, minutes, etc.? If you're planning on further analyzing the data, does the sensor also log data for future reference/analysis?
Automatically upload air quality data to the cloud, so you can access it online, or store data internally for manual downloading. Caution: A sensor that automatically uploads data online might be the most convenient, but it will need a wi-fi connection. A sensor that stores data internally for downloading later ensures that no one else sees or owns your data, but the data can't be viewed remotely or in real-time.
Have an app compatible with your brand of phone. Caution: Some sensors need to stay close to a phone to record data, and not all sensor manufacturers make apps for all brands of phones.
Have a display or app to show real-time data. Caution: how "real-time" is it? To the second? Minute? Sometimes sensors display an air quality index instead of raw data, so make sure your sensor can show what you want.
Have a data logging function so data can be viewed or downloaded at a later time. Downloading data can be done through an app/website or manually by plugging the sensor into a computer, or downloading from an SD card.
Have a data logging function so data can be viewed or downloaded at a later time. Downloading data can be done through an app/website or manually by plugging the sensor into a computer, or downloading from an SD card.
Have a crowd-sourced map function that displays data online from other users who have the same type of small sensor. Not all sensors pool their data online, so if seeing data from other sensors is important to you, you'll need to ensure your sensor has this function.