Air Sensors
air-sensors

## Choosing Sensors Often the first step is to look for a sensor for what you're hoping to measure. In the community posts below, we're collecting info on different kinds of air quality sensors, and their: * cost * sensitivity/accuracy * links and documentation Can you afford a sensor? Can it detect what you're looking for? Where can you learn more about it? ### Posts about choosing and evaluating an air sensor [notes:grid:air-sensor-eval] ### Expected ranges and useful detection limits for pollutants of interest This [table](https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/air_sensors_webinar_slides_06-29-16.pdf) from an EPA [Air Quality Monitoring and Community Science webinar](https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/air_sensors_webinar_slides_06-29-16.pdf) lists the six criteria air pollutants and a couple additional pollutants, with background levels you might see in the environment in the “Range to Expect” column and useful detection limits for sensors. **** ## Wikis about air sensors [wikis:air-sensors] ## Air sensor projects Public Lab pages and posts tagged `air-sensor-projects` will appear here [nodes:air-sensor-projects] ## Questions [questions:air-sensors] ## Further reading and resources + Environmental consultant Tim Dye’s “[4 questions to ask before buying an air quality sensor](http://tdenviro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/4-questions-when-buying-air-sensors.pdf)” neatly summarizes what to consider when choosing an air sensor. + [Snuffle.org](http://www.snuffle.org/): lots of information on low-cost sensors for various air pollutants. + [Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-SPEC)](http://www.aqmd.gov/aq-spec/evaluations): from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, this program tests and evaluates air sensors “in the field, under ambient conditions, and in the laboratory under controlled environmental conditions.” + [Air Sensor Toolbox](https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox): from the US Environmental Protection Agency, this toolbox includes guidance on how to use air sensors and their data, plus information on sensor performance and evaluation results. ...


Author Comment Last activity Moderation
cfastie "Leslie, I will lend you anything you need. Tell me about your HEPA setup. You must already have a 5V Arduino, so all you need is three DuPont wires..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
zengirl2 "I'm so excited to see this @cfastie. Love the play on words as always with the naming of the monitor. However, you may want to rename your research..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
stevie "@stevie awards a barnstar to cfastie for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » over 5 years ago
cfastie "Thanks Nick. It's good to know about the duplicate sensors. That's an intriguing engineering decision. Chris " | Read more » over 5 years ago
nshapiro "I'm going to be loling about Poorple all night! Amazing work, chris! And yes, I believe Purple has two of the same sensors to catch any low hanging..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
jywarren "Awesome! On Tue, Nov 27, 2018, 11:45 PM \<notifications@publiclab.org wrote: Public Lab contributor cfastie just posted a new research note en..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "Hi, any updates on the high humidity tests? Thank you! " | Read more » over 5 years ago
johnb1003 "@warren I actually did not create that list / documentation. However, once I get a functioning air sensor I do planning on creating similar documen..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
zengirl2 "This looks great—also looks like others have faced similar issue with 8266 and Shinyei sensor just through googling. Here’s one example (although s..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "@guolivar have you read over these reports and do they factor into your assessment of the Purple Air? Thank you both! " | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "This is a GREAT post. Thank you so much!!! " | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "Ah, yes, confirmed by @guolivar's post: https://publiclab.org/notes/guolivar/01-08-2018/thoughts-on-low-cost-air-quality-sensors " | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "@warren awards a barnstar to guolivar for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "Just compiling some quick links to where these parts can be found cheaply and easily: Sensor: $16.50 on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Air-Qualit..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "Quick update - the sensor in the Purple Air seems to be this one or one very similar, a laser based sensor with a fan -- the PMS5003 -- $30 shippe..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "Ooh, i love the very succinct bill of materials with links and prices! Great documentation! Did you write that documentation? Copying it in here fo..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
stevie "Hi @BrandonFeenstra ! I had a group asking me about the Dylos this morning, so I went to the AQMD website and found the report for it like the one ..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
GreenFrogg "I don't have experience with the Purple Air. The page is an overview made by the Dutch institute of environmental health (RIVM). They coordinate. Y..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
stevie "@GreenFrogg I was checking out your list of sensors on this page and didn't see the Purple Air. Have you worked with it? what are your thoughts on..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
GreenFrogg "My PPD42NS was lost with an attempt to update the sofware. I use now the SDS011 from hackair. " | Read more » over 5 years ago
GreenFrogg "https://www.samenmetenaanluchtkwaliteit.nl/international and https://platform.hackair.eu/ and http://smartemission.ruhosting.nl/visitors/ " | Read more » over 5 years ago
stevie "Hey @GreenFrogg what's the project you're working on now? I haven't heard of it. Where are you testing it out? " | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "Love this! " | Read more » over 5 years ago
nshapiro "This is great, Karl! So many people are using the PMS 5003 these days and probably wondering how to do this. I'm looking forward to circulating th..." | Read more » over 5 years ago