Many of us are familiar with electronic timetable boards displaying information on the air quality in a given city. Everyone would also like to breathe clean air without the fear of harmful particulate matter entering their bloodstream. How does an air quality sensor work and what data is used to analyse the samples? Home meters differ significantly from professional ones - so let's take a look at what exactly.
Air quality sensor - operation
A professional air quality sensor works by measuring not only concentrated dust, but also industrial dust, heavy metal condensation or dust and smoke. Furthermore, temperature, humidity and even atmospheric pressure levels are analysed. You may wonder - to what end?
How exactly does an air quality sensor work? Two methods of data collection are known: automatic and gravimetric. They differ significantly, but both methods are actively used to analyse pollution.
The gravimetric method, otherwise known as the reference method, involves drawing air from the environment through a device equipped with fourteen (automatically changing daily) filters. Before they are applied to the sensor, their weight is determined and they undergo conditioning. After two weeks, the samples are transported to a laboratory where they are analysed and new filters are placed in the sampler.
The automatic method is just as effective as the one we mentioned above, but it differs in the way the measurements are carried out. The meters constantly take data from the environment and update the pollution information every hour. These are transmitted directly to the researchers or made available on websites and apps.
Use of air quality sensors
Windless weather, low temperatures and high humidity are the conditions most often associated with high air pollution. Strong winds, on the other hand, do not allow smog particles to stay in the air. Professional air quality sensors are most often used externally and help determine the level of pollution in a particular location. Measurements are usually local and cover an entire province or city.
An air quality sensor is used to provide information about the danger of elevated smog levels. This data is particularly important for allergy sufferers and people with respiratory diseases, who may be at risk of worsening their health by increased concentrations of dust particles.
Professional air sensor versus home air sensor - the differences
Are there any differences between the air quality sensor at home and the one used by weather stations? Well, there are a number of them. It's not just the ease of use, the ability to position the devices indoors or how the sensor is powered - by a built-in battery or a direct connection to electricity - but also the actual accuracy of the measurements. This begs the question - which air quality sensor should you choose?
The devices used for private use are not as accurate as the machines we mentioned above. Stations reporting changes in air conditions do not cite their data. They are also often placed in substandard locations, making it impossible to carry out a reliable survey. For example, an air quality sensor in a car will not be the highest quality source, but it can approximate the level of ambient pollution.
Ambient pollution meters available for private use also vary. Some will be better, others will analyse the data taken from the air in a less precise way - it is best to read reviews and the parameters taken before deciding to buy. You can find more than one good air quality sensor on the market. The price of such a device can start at several hundred zlotys and go up to thousands. Many people, when deciding on a pollution meter, immediately decide to start using an air purifier.
A home air quality sensor can approximate information on pollution levels as much as possible, but it is mainly worth relying on analyses and measurements carried out by professional, scientific measuring stations.
