Air Sensor Use and Study Design
EPA has identified that a primary use of air sensors is for non-regulatory supplemental and informational monitoring (NSIM) applications. Some examples of these applications include examining daily trends, air quality forecasting, participatory science, education, and emergency response. Other potential applications for air sensors include mobile monitoring, personal exposure monitoring, indoor air monitoring, among others. Air monitoring using sensors can be complicated and requires advance planning to be successful. This planning is a critical component of quality assurance (QA) and is necessary to produce useful and high-quality data. The planning steps and activities in the resources below enable users to collect quality data, build trust in the data, and allow others to use the data, as applicable.
Air Sensor Guidebook
Recognizing the ever-increasing availability of sensors, expanding scientific knowledge, and availability of best practices to support sensor use, the Enhanced Air Sensor Guidebook was published in 2022 to help those interested in using sensors to collect air quality measurements and interpret sensor data.
Selecting Air Sensors
If you determine that additional air quality data is needed to address your question or issue, the next step is to select the right sensor for the job. This includes finding a sensor with all of the characteristics you need like the ability to measure the pollutant of interest in the expected concentration range and has power and data storage/transmission solutions that work for you. Section 3.4 in the Enhanced Air Sensor Guidebook (linked above) provides some guidance about selection. Sensor performance, or how well a sensor measures the pollutant of interest, is a key consideration. Learn about EPA’s work to establish Air Sensor Performance Targets and Testing Protocols and consider asking sensor manufacturers for their performance testing report. The links below guide you to organizations conducting independent evaluations.
Routine Evaluations Conducted by Outside Organizations
Past Evaluations Conducted by EPA
A Guide to Siting and Installing Air Sensors
Selecting the right sensor for your needs is often the first hurdle and consideration. But where you place a sensor can impact the usefulness of the data. Our Guide to Siting and Installing Air Sensors outlines logistical considerations and recommendations for determining where a sensor should be placed.
Guide to Siting and Installing Air Sensor
Standard Operating Procedures for Sensors
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are written, step-by-step instructions that describe how to perform a routine activity with consistency. EPA scientists have developed SOPs for several air sensors they have evaluated or used in field projects. These guides may assist users of the devices.
Standard Operating Procedures for Sensors
Quality Assurance for Air Sensors
There are many activities involved in data collection beyond simply turning on the sensor and collecting measurements. Users will need additional preparation before and during data collection activities to ensure that useful data are collected. Find out more about quality assurance for air sensors.
