How to design

an air quality
project?
STEP Considerations to ensure that it fits the project needs
BY STEP
GUIDE
 Table of contents
01 Outdoor air quality systems 06 Monitoring networks

02 Quality of the data 07 Analysis tools

03 Uses and objectives 08 Management services

04 Main sectors 09 Consultancy services

05 Target pollutants 10 Selection of the solution

01
 01
Outdoor air quality
systems
02
 Reference & Equivalence
air quality stations

Outdoor air
Offical reference stations

Indicative measurements
quality systems Sensor-based air quality stations
Complementary measurements Class 1

It is necessary to know the different types Objective estimation

of devices that exist for indoor and outdoor
Sensor-based air quality stations
applications.
Hotspots identification Class 2

On the market we can find:

Additional class
Other devices for personal exposure
AQ education and information Class 3

03 Comparison between the EU – Air Quality Directive and the Technical Specification developed in the CEN/TC 264/WG42.
Indicative measurements are equivalent to Class 1 set by the Technical Specification for Air Quality Sensor Systems.
 02
Quality of
the data
04
 Air quality reference station networks have
high installation and maintenance costs
and provide accurate data, but with a
Quality of relatively low spatial density, which cannot
accurately reproduce the variability of air
the data pollutant concentrations over large areas.

It is possible to monitor air quality with

“Data of poor or unknown quality is less other types of equipment, but it is
useful than no data since it can lead to
necessary to analyse how these ensure
wrong decisions”
Snyder et al., 2013 their adequate performance and the
quality of the data they provide.

05
 How do we know who is providing reliable data?
Technical specifications and independent studies

TS CEN /
US EPA INERIS AQSPEC AIRLAB MCERTS
TS 17660-1:2022

Gases: Performance
evaluation of air O3 NO2 Gases Gases Particles
quality sensor PM2.5 PM2.5 Particles Particles
systems - Part 1:
Gaseous pollutants
in ambient air
Particles

06
 03
Uses and
objectives
07
 The main applications of air quality monitoring networks are aimed at:

Monitor Raise awareness Validate

Design a solution to ensure Conduct environmental Validate programmes to
homogeneous air quality awareness and education improve air quality and ensure
sampling campaigns people's health
08
 04
Main
sectors
09
 Main sectors
Each sector has different needs and objectives.
The main sectors requiring accurate information on air pollution
and air quality include:

CITIES INDUSTRIES PORTS WORKS SPORTS RESEARCH

Monitoring of air Environmental Air quality Environmental Analysis of air Accurate and
quality and monitoring in monitoring monitoring of pollution at useful
emission sources industrial networks in construction and sporting events. measurements
in urban areas. perimeters and infrastructures, demolition sites. for scientific
hot spots. ports and airports. studies.

10
 05
Target
pollutants
11
 CARBON HYDROGEN
CO MONOXIDE
H2S SULPHIDE

Target CO2
CARBON
DIOXIDE
SO2
SULPHUR
DIOXIDE

pollutants NITRIC
NO OXIDE
NH3 AMMONIA
It is essential to be clear about which
pollutants need to be measured
depending on the type of activity.
VOLATILE
NITROGEN
The main pollutants that have a NO2 DIOXIDE
VOC ORGANIC
direct effect on air quality are: COMPOUNDS

PARTICULATE
O3 OZONE PM MATTER
12
 Main pollutants for each application

CITIES INDUSTRIES PORTS

CO CO2 NO NO2 O3 CO NO NO2 CO NO NO2 O3

H2S SO2 NH3 PM H2S NH3 VOC PM SO2 VOC PM

WORKS SPORTS RESEARCH

PM CO NO NO2 O3 PM CO CO2 NO NO2 O3

H2S SO2 NH3 VOC PM

13
 06
Monitoring
networks
14
 Monitoring networks

Number and types of devices

When designing an air quality project, it is necessary to know both the type and the number of devices needed.

We can distinguish between mobile and stationary devices and whether these require additional probes such as
anemometers, sound level meters, rain gauges, etc.

MACRO-IMPLANTATION MICRO-IMPLANTATION
Define the area to be covered by the sensor Define the exact locations for each station so
network to obtain a complete picture of pollution that they are able to obtain accurate samples
and emission sources. and are not affected by external factors.
15
 07
Analysis
tools
16
 Analysis tools
Once the sensor network is deployed, appropriate software must be in
place to allow:

MANAGE QC & QA

Network and devices remote A tool for quality control and

management. quality assurance.

ANALYSE REPORT

Multiparametric analysis of the Data validation and reporting.

collected data.

Remember: it is important to have a suite that allows you to accurately calibrate sensors,
invalidate data, monitor the health of the network and easily manage the network.
17
 08
Management
services
18
 Management
Some of the most demanded services are:
services Remote operation of the network
Maintaining the air quality network for Remote sensor calibration
optimal operation can be one of the most Field maintenance tasks
challenging tasks. Data validation and analysis
Reporting
That is why some additional services
should be required.

19
 09
Consultancy
services
20
 Consultancy services
It is also important to know what other services we may need and that
the supplier company can offer us, such as:

DESIGNING IMPLEMENTATION

Design of the monitoring network Support in the deployment and

to obtain accurate data. implementation of the sensor network.

ADVISING TRAINING

Technical advisory tasks by Specialised training days for proper

qualified personnel. maintenance of the network.

21
 10
Selection of the
solution
22
 Collect all data

Selection of
the solution Search for the best solution
Once all the mentioned aspects are
clear, it is time to look for the
solution that best suits the needs
and characteristics of the project.
Request a quotation

23
 Please note that you should:
Select key pollutants for your project

Define the most appropriate network size (number and type of devices)

Select equipment that provides the quality of data you need

Provision of budget for network maintenance and data quality assurance

Use the right tool that allows you to make a correct exploitation of the data

24
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25
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