Air Quality Monitoring Pods Now Monitor Particles as Well as Gases

Particulate monitoring technology has been added to the AQMesh air quality monitoring pods. “This is a major development,” says Stephen Hoskin from the Tewkesbury based company Air Monitors. “AQMesh already monitors the most important gases, but fine particulates are one of the pollutants of greatest concern - government figures suggest 29,000 people die prematurely in the UK every year from particle pollution.”

AQMesh is a lightweight, battery powered ambient air quality monitor that transmits data to a dedicated website via the ‘cloud’. Readings are taken at user-selectable intervals between 1 and 15 minutes, and data are normally transmitted hourly by GPRS. Standard AQMesh pods measure nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) in addition to temperature, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity. Carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) can also be chosen as optional sensors. However, following successful trials, AQMesh can now include the measurement of total particle count, PM2.5 and PM10 using a light-scattering optical particle counter.

AQMesh was developed to provide monitoring flexibility and to lower costs, and with the ability to monitor both NO2 and PM, AQMesh is able to track the pollutants of greatest concern. As a small, battery-powered, web-enabled unit, the pods can be quickly and simply mounted in locations where air quality matters most, and by transmitting near-live data to websites, AQMesh offers an opportunity to provide air quality information that will have a real effect on people’s lives; helping them to choose a route to work; where to exercise; where to send their children to school, and even where to buy a house.