Ambient Air Quality Sensing and Monitoring
Air quality is a global challenge for governments, regulators, city administrators and citizens. Many governments are investing multi-billion dollar sums in policies and solutions to improve air quality and they are empowering cities to tackle air pollution locally. In Pakistan, this issue is neglec
2025-06-28 16:30:12 - Adil Khan
Ambient Air Quality Sensing and Monitoring
Project Area of Specialization Internet of ThingsProject Summary Project Summary:Air quality is a global challenge for governments, regulators, city administrators and citizens. Many governments are investing multi-billion dollar sums in policies and solutions to improve air quality and they are empowering cities to tackle air pollution locally. In Pakistan, this issue is neglected because there are no reliable sources of information that is publicly available to build good environmental awareness. Our Project aims to provide a cost effective solution in the form of low cost sensors that will measure concentrations of pollutants and will transmit the data in real time through Internet of Things (Iot) technology. The project aims to develop a system which could easily be deployed at different locations in the desired geographical area to monitor ambient air quality. The measured data can also be accessed via web link & mobile application to facilitate people to get current ambient environmental information in real time. The designed system will monitor the parameters like temperature, humidity, Nitrogen oxides, Sulphur oxides, Carbon oxides, Ozone and Solid particulate (PM2.5, PM10). The system will not only show the updated values of the parameters but will also show their previous recorded results up to last 7 days. This system use sensors like MICS-6814,MQ-131,SDS-011,2SH-12 to calculate the values of the air pollutants. This system can be easily transferred to other geographical location depending upon the situation and demand.
Project Objectives Project ObjectivesPrimary objective of this project is to have a system that will be provide the real time concentrations of various Air Pollutants along With Weather Parameters Temperature Humidity & pressure. Using the Pollutants Concentration we will formulate an Air Quality Index according to the ambient Air Quality standards in Pakistan. The data would be available to the Public using the IOT platform and can be access by the local people and help the Government to take preliminary decisions on how to better manage air quality in their regions.
- Interfacing air pollutants sensors with microcontroller to record concentrations in air & Calculating AQI value using concentrations of these gases & particulates
- Sending the observed Values using IOT technology to the Cloud server
- Integrating Website and Mobile Application to the cloud and display the information in productive way
- Design a Environmental friendly portable device that can be placed in any geographical location
An Ambient Air Quality system was proposed for real time, low cost monitoring which can be installed in a specific locality will have an access to the android app available for the public. This app can be used by anyone to get in live updates about the pollution in their region. It uses Arduino integrated with Air Quality Particulate matter & gas sensors like Particulate matter PM2.5 & PM10, Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen Di Oxide, Sulphur Di Oxide, Ammonia, Ozone along with humidity, and temperature which measures the concentration of each gas separately. The collected data is uploaded to the Server and have an access to the Specific Website which will provides a completely wireless solution. The concentration level of each gas can be viewed both as a graph and in numerical format. Based on these values the air quality index value is calculated and the nature of the air quality in that area is determined which is also displayed through the app. Along with this, the health effects for the corresponding air quality is displayed to create awareness among the public. Additionally, they could also get to know the temperature and weather in that region. The users will not get disturbed with irrelevant data as the values displayed are location specific and help them stay tuned to the current status of air pollution. Figure#1 shows the flow diagram of our designed system for easy understanding and to portray the clear image of how this will work using cost effective sensors and up to date technology.
- The data collected from air quality monitoring helps us assess impacts caused by poor air quality on public health.
- The data collected from air quality monitoring would primarily help us identify polluted areas, the level of pollution and air quality level.
- Based upon the data collected control measures can be devised for protection of environment and health of all living organisms.
- Raising awareness about Air Pollution in Pakistan without Proper data “People Just thing its foggy” & misconnects fog with smog In other countries, live air quality measurements are broadcast in elevators and on TV screens alongside weather information. “That’s what awareness looks like”.
- In Pakistan Currently there is no Air Quality Monitoring systems installed the only data available to the Public is of US-Embassy in only 4 major cities of Pakistan it was the only source in the whole country that had air quality monitors operating and providing data to the public with only 1 station per city .Data from a single monitoring station cannot be applied to an entire city.
- Single piece of durable aluminum shell
- Outdoor module designed for outdoor use
- Module: 203x152.4x114.3 mm / 8x6x4.5 inches
- Weight of whole station: 15 Kg
- Records frequency : every 5 minutes
- Temperature (indoor & outdoor):
Ranges from: -20°C to 80°C
Accuracy: ± 0.3°C - Humidity (indoor and outdoor):
Ranges from: 0 to 100%
Accuracy: ± 3% - Pressure (indoor and outdoor):
Ranges from: 30,000Pa to 110,000Pa Accuracy: ± relative accuracy of 12Pa, absolute accuracy of 100Pa - Particulate Matter (PM 2.5, 10) measuring range
Ranges from: 0.0-999.9 ?g/m3Accuracy: ± 0.3 ug/m3 - Sulphur di oxide (S02) Measuring Range:
Ranges from: 0 to 5,00ppm
Accuracy: ± 5 ppm - Ammonia NH3 Measuring Range
Ranges from: 0 to 5,000 ppm
Accuracy: ± 50 ppm - Ozone 03 Measuring range:
Ranges from: 0 to 5,000 ppm
Accuracy: ± 50 ppm - Nitrogen di oxide (NO2) Measuring Range:
Ranges from: 0.05 to 10 ppm
Accuracy: ± 0.05 ppm
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n compatible (2.4GHz)
Supported security: Open/WEP/WPA/WPA2-personal
Wireless connection between modules: long range 100 m (without obstacles)
Station contents
1 outdoor electronic box enclosure module
1 micro usb power adapter
1 steel mount kit for outdoor module
2 AAA batteries
Operating voltage: DC 5V.
Powered by USB wall adapter
Powered by 2 AAA batteries (up to a 2-year lifespan)
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry OthersOther Industries IT , Health , Telecommunication Core Technology Internet of Things (IoT)Other Technologies Cloud Infrastructure, Clean TechSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for People, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, Life on LandRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 80000 | |||
| ESP 32 Module | Equipment | 3 | 800 | 2400 |
| Arduino Mega | Equipment | 3 | 1450 | 4350 |
| SDS011 Particulate Matter Sensor | Equipment | 3 | 2675 | 8025 |
| 2SH12 SO2 sensor | Equipment | 2 | 12360 | 24720 |
| MICS-6814 (CO, N02 ,NH3) Gas Sensor | Equipment | 2 | 3580 | 7160 |
| CJMCU131 MQ-131 Ozone Gas Sensor: | Equipment | 3 | 2475 | 7425 |
| DS18B20 temperature Sensor | Equipment | 3 | 250 | 750 |
| BME280 Humidity and Pressure Sensor | Equipment | 3 | 650 | 1950 |
| DC Fan | Equipment | 3 | 200 | 600 |
| PCB | Equipment | 3 | 150 | 450 |
| Station Steel Mount | Equipment | 3 | 1500 | 4500 |
| AC-DC 5V Adapter | Equipment | 3 | 250 | 750 |
| Electronic Project Box Enclosure | Equipment | 3 | 1000 | 3000 |
| PCB Screw Connectors | Equipment | 1 | 60 | 60 |
| PCB Sockets | Equipment | 1 | 50 | 50 |
| Male to Male & Male to Female Wires | Equipment | 1 | 600 | 600 |
| USB Cable For Arduino & ESP32 | Equipment | 1 | 240 | 240 |
| USB-TTL Converter | Equipment | 1 | 150 | 150 |
| DHT-11 Temp & Humidity Sensor | Equipment | 1 | 240 | 240 |
| ESP-8266 | Equipment | 1 | 300 | 300 |
| MQ-2 Gas Sensor | Equipment | 1 | 230 | 230 |
| MQ-135 Gas Sensor | Equipment | 1 | 450 | 450 |
| MQ-7 Gas Sensor | Equipment | 1 | 300 | 300 |
| GP2Y1010AU0F Optical Dust Sensor | Equipment | 1 | 1300 | 1300 |
| Printing | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2500 | 2500 |
| Shipping | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Travelling | Miscellaneous | 1 | 1800 | 1800 |
| PCB Fabrication | Miscellaneous | 1 | 1200 | 1200 |
| Smart Devices to provide Internet Connection | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2500 | 2500 |