AQESHOW - Abstract

Abstract Information :

Sensor-based air quality monitoring systems provide an excellent alternative to complement the official air quality networks. Over the past decade, there has been a worldwide effort to evaluate the usefulness and possible applications of these systems. Performance evaluation projects have focused on determining the quality of the data produced by these sensor-based systems. Several independent and foundational evaluation efforts are occurring in Europe and the U.S. such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-SPEC) program, and the AIRLAB Microsensor Challenge organized by AIRPARIF. Kunak has participated in all these evaluations, awarded as the most accurate multi-pollutant sensor in the Airlab Challenge 2021 and 2023. These evaluations were the first attempt to show independent performance assessments of sensor systems. However, there were not enough for final users, highlighting the need for an internationally accepted standard protocol that allows comparing the performance of instruments in different evaluation studies. Thus, being aware of this issue, Kunak started as a member group of the CEN Technical Committee 264, Working Group 42, which launched in 2021 a Technical Specification for the performance requirements and test methods for low-cost gas sensors: UNE-CEN/TS 17660-1:2021 “Air quality - Performance evaluation of air quality sensor systems - Part 1: Gaseous pollutants in ambient air”. A second part of the standard, related to particle sensors, is still under development. As manufacturers of air quality devices, we are contributing with knowledge and experience, as well as being up to date with the latest innovations in the sector. It is important to promote the development of this standardization, without falling into the error of being more restrictive than the protocols for reference analyzers due to the lack of confidence in this type of technology. UNE-CEN/TS 17660-1:2021 is still under validation, so the first certifications will take some time. Thus, other certification bodies created certifications to evaluate sensor-based air quality monitoring systems to provide an official assessment of their performance. Some examples are MCERTS Certification for Indicative Ambient Particulate Monitors in the UK and INERIS Certification of sensor systems for air quality monitoring in France. After participating in different independent evaluations, Kunak recognized the necessity to undergo a certification process when working with public organizations. Thus, in 2023 Kunak got the MCERTS Certification for indicative particles. In conclusion, significant work has been done in the last years regarding sensor systems regulation that has allowed consumers to understand their use, their performances, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. However, the work has not finished yet. Independent evaluations should have more precise methodology and protocols in terms of evaluation periods, ambient conditions and accuracy assessment. Besides, official regulatory standards must be aware that sensor systems will be a tool to complement the official regulatory network, using a technology lower in cost, so are not expected to perform as well as reference instruments. Thus, the requirements should be set according to the technology and applications in which they are used.