Breathe Easy – The Importance of Data Quality in Air Monitoring

Accuracy, consistency and reliability are widely considered the three pillars of data quality, underscoring the vital information that every data analyst, scientist and engineer feasts on. Without them, as they say, data is just noise. The constant stream of new gadgets and devices entering the market is testing this ethos like never before, as they offer all kinds of data points, but with questionable trustworthiness. This is certainly the case with off-the-shelf air monitoring sensors, which offer copious benefits, but they must be used with caution to ensure air quality data is dependable.

A hazy dilemma

The topic of air pollution has been the focus of much attention in recent decades, owing to both its contribution towards climate change and its impact on human health. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 99 percent of the world’s population breathes air that exceeds its recommended guidelines – with high levels of dangerous pollutants – and ambient air pollution caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths in 2019.¹ Figures like this have spurred on governments to enforce tighter regulations, while the availability – and affordability – of sensors has prompted citizens and local agencies to take matters into their own hands.

Low cost sensors

Affordable air sensors have the potential to revolutionize air monitoring, as they can be deployed in a vast network across a number of locations, leading to more information from a greater geographical area. This provides fresh opportunities to enhance existing air monitoring systems or engage citizens in active environmental monitoring.² As brilliant as this sounds, many factors must be considered before jumping on the bandwagon, not least the three pillars of data quality, which are a big question mark with many new products on the market. The EPA has also recognized a number of challenges associated with low cost sensors, including – but not limited to – their selectivity and sensitivity for the target pollutant, inaccurate readings resulting from environmental conditions, and the requirement for field calibration to improve accuracy.³ Furthermore, low cost sensors don’t comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), meaning their data cannot be used for policy making and regulatory decisions.⁴

Food for thought

The EPA, in combination with state and tribal representatives, has identified three key areas of focus for air sensors: data quality, data interpretation, and data management.⁴ Until these uncertainties are fully addressed, off-the-shelf sensors should be reserved for non-regulatory applications, while experienced vendors with verified gas analysis technologies and monitoring solutions remain a secure option for delivering robust, compliant data. Although low cost systems are cheaper in the short term, running an air quality monitoring network entails more than just the physical elements, with significant overheads resulting from technicians’ time calibrating and maintaining the equipment.

A quality future

The ubiquity of air quality sensors is a huge step towards improving the monitoring of the air pollution that is strangling many parts of the world. However, further advancements are needed to ensure the data they provide is accurate, consistent and reliable. Until then, look for established vendors backed by superior after-sales support to help make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

References

1. World Health Organization. Ambient (outdoor) air pollution. (2022). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health. Accessed September 19, 2023.
2. Castell N, Dauge FR, Schneider P, et al. Can commercial low-cost sensor platforms contribute to air quality monitoring and exposure estimates? Environ Int. 2017;99:293-302. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2016.12.007.
3. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Frequent Questions About Air Sensors. (2023). https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/frequent-questions-about-air-sensors. Accessed September 19, 2023.
4. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Air sensors memo. (2020). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/documents/air_sensors_memo_june_22.2020.pdf. Accessed September 19, 2023.