Air pollution sensor

Air pollution sensors are devices that detect and monitor the presence of air pollution in the surrounding area. They can be used for both indoor and outdoor environments. These sensors can be built at home, or bought from certain manufactures. Although there are various types of air pollution sensors, and some are specialized in certain aspects, the majority focuses on five components: ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide. The sensors were very expensive in the past, but with technological advancements these sensors are becoming more affordable and more widespread throughout the population. These sensors can help serve many purposes and help bring attention to environmental issues beyond the scope of the human eye.

The EPA maintains a repository of air quality data through the Air Quality System (AQS), where it stores data from over 10,000 monitors in the United States.[1]

While use of these sensors was expensive in the past, the 2010s saw a recent trend towards the development of cheaper portable air-quality sensors that can be worn by individuals to monitor local air quality levels.[2][3] These sensors, can then, in turn, help measure the spatiotemporal coverage and variety of chemical species, and empower individuals and communities to better understand their exposure environments and risks from air pollution.[4]

A research group led by William Griswold at UCSD handed out portable air pollution sensors to 16 commuters, and found "urban valleys" where buildings trapped pollution. The group also found that passengers in buses have higher exposures compared to those in automobiles.[5]

History

In December 1952, London’s Great Smog - led to the deaths of thousands of people. This event became one of the great turning points in our environmental history because it brought about a radical re-think in pollution control across the United Kingdom. This event further lead to the Clean Air Act, which may have had consequences even more far reaching than it originally intended.[6] This act led to the change in fuel sources, and energy used by industries. Many citizens in major cities across the world suffered some type of health related problems due to excess toxins and pollution in the air.

These catastrophic events lead to major cities controlling and measuring atmospheric pollutions. This revolution changed the way we see and understand the environment today. Technology was developed by governments to create air pollution sensors in order to measure the toxins in the environment. With further scientific research and advancements in technology, people are more concerned and conscious with the air the breath. Technology has made air pollution sensors more readily available and affordable for personal use.

Health

Scientific evidence has indicated that indoor air pollution can be worse than outdoor pollutants in large and industrialized cities. Many products and chemicals used inside the home, for cooking and heating, and for appliances and home décor are primary sources of indoor air pollutants.[7] Everything we use in the home contributes to the pollution, and can possibly degrade the environment. Air pollution is responsible for 7 million premature deaths around the world each year.[8] When pollutants enter the body through our respiratory system, they can be absorbed in the blood and travel throughout the body, and can directly damage the heart and other vital organs.[9]

Health Canada’s research confirms that poor air quality is hazardous to human health and as the population ages more Canadians are at risk. Young children are at risk because on a per-body-weight basis, they tend to inhale relatively more air than adults, and their immature defence systems make them more susceptible to air pollution.[8] The elderly are also at risk due to their weaker lungs, heart, and defence systems. The elderly also tend to have undiagnosed respiratory or cardiovascular health conditions.[8] People participating in strenuous work or sporting activities outdoors breathe more deeply and rapidly than their sedentary counterparts.[8] This increases the risk of these individuals developing air pollution related diseases. Due to its aging and expanding population, the number of Canadians affected grows each year.[10] It is estimated that tens of thousands of Canadians die prematurely each year due to acute air pollution and that high summer temperatures lead to increased illnesses, hospitalization and deaths among older adults.[11]

Significance/Society

Air pollution sensors can help people control their environments to a certain extent and increase awareness of the pollutants around them. If people are more aware of the contents of the environment, they can change their routines and habits in order to be less effected by air pollution. This can help increase the quality of life and overall health of people at risk. For example, if one bedroom has more pollutants than another the room with less pollutants would be more suitable for infants or the elderly, and anyone else that is at risk. Having the ability to monitor and record air pollution can help shape our daily activities and routines. For example, when planning outdoor activities one might want to go for a run early morning or a particular time in the day where the pollution rating is not so high. We may pick our transportation routes based on the air pollution rating. Since we often cannot see or detect any slight changes to our environment these sensors can provide a significant amount of information. The air particles are so small, but can have adverse effects on our overall health.

References

  1. ↑ "TTN AIRS AQS". Epa.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Environmental science: Pollution patrol : Nature News & Comment". Nature.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Experimenting at Home With Air Quality Monitors". The New York Times. April 15, 2015. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Air Pollution Monitoring for Communities". Epa.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Microsampling Air Pollution". The New York Times. June 3, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  6. ↑ Brimblecombe, Peter (2006-11-01). "The Clean Air Act after 50 years". Weather. 61 (11): 311–314. doi:10.1256/wea.127.06. ISSN 1477-8696.
  7. ↑ "Kim, S. & Paulos, E. (April 2010). inAir:Sharing indoor air quality measurements and visualizations. Earth, Wind, Flyer. 81-84." (PDF). doi:10.1145/1760000/1753605/p1861-kim.pdf.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Canada, Government of Canada, Environment and Climate Change. "Environment and Climate Change Canada - Air - Are you at risk?". www.ec.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  9. ↑ Section, Government of Canada, Health Canada, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Safe Environments Directorate, Water, Air and Climate Change Bureau, Air Quality Programs Division, Policy, Planning and Coordination. "Cardiovascular Effects of Air Pollution - Environmental & Workplace Health - Health Canada". www.hc-sc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  10. ↑ Section, Government of Canada, Health Canada, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Safe Environments Directorate, Water, Air and Climate Change Bureau, Air Quality Programs Division, Policy, Planning and Coordination. "Air Pollution and Health - Environmental & Workplace Health - Health Canada". www.hc-sc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  11. ↑ Suzuki, David. "The impact of green space on heat and air pollution in urban communities" (PDF).
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