Air monitor meets Grade 1 requirements for PM2.5 measurement

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is widely recognised as one of the most hazardous air pollutants because it can penetrate deep into the human respiratory system. As evidence of its health impacts has grown, global regulatory frameworks have introduced increasingly stringent criteria for its monitoring. These regulations have placed a heavy emphasis on measurement precision, traceability and comparability with reference-grade instrumentation. The certification schemes play a crucial role in identifying systems capable of delivering data that can support regulatory decisions, public health assessments and long-term investment strategies.

Kunak’s AIR Pro has attained Grade 1 certification for PM2.5 measurement following a rigorous independent evaluation by the KOTITI Testing and Research Institute in South Korea.  Grade 1 represents the highest performance category within the Korean particle measurement certification framework. It requires demonstrable equivalence to reference instruments across key parameters, such as measurement accuracy, repeatability, data acquisition performance and statistical correlation during comparative testing. The tests are conducted under controlled and comparative conditions, providing external validation of an instrument’s performance in scenarios set up to reflect real-world deployment.

This certification signals a broader data quality approach taken throughout the design, calibration and validation stages of Kunak’s monitoring stations. Calibration and testing are carried out in accordance with CEN/TS 17660 and US EPA/600/R sensor performance protocols. Data traceability is maintained against globally recognised regulatory standards, including EU Directive 2024/2881 and US EPA 40 CFR Part 53. The resulting performance aligns with Class 1 Data Quality Objectives, as defined in European and US regulatory frameworks for particulate matter and key gaseous pollutants. Inaccurate air quality data can lead to ineffective mitigation strategies, regulatory non-compliance or adverse health outcomes; independent verification of measurement performance remains essential. Kunak’s KOTITI Grade 1 certification gives evidence of the importance of externally validated traceable data in environmental monitoring applications.