PM2.5 is a harmful pollutant that can cause respiratory problems. New technologies are being developed to reduce PM2.5 pollution and improve air quality. Learn more about these technologies and how they are making a difference.

1. How New Technologies Are Revolutionizing the Way We Measure PM2.5
Air quality impacts both our health and the environment, making it a topic of significant concern
and study. Air pollution, caused by various natural and human activities, has become a pressing
global issue, and understanding it in depth is vital in safeguarding our planet and ensuring a
healthier future for generations to come. One of the major contributing factors to poor air quality
is PM2.5.
What makes particulate matter so important to measure?
Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. PM2.5 is a
type of PM that is 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. These particles are so small that they can
penetrate deep into the lungs and cause various health problems, including respiratory infections,
heart disease, and cancer.
Outdoor air pollution, including PM2.5, was responsible for approximately 4.2 million premature
deaths worldwide in 2019. With more than 90% of the world’s population living in places where the
WHO air quality guidelines levels were not met, it is now more important than ever to measure
PM2.5 and other pollutants.
To reduce the effect of PM2.5 pollution on health, it is essential to measure it. Some benefits
include–
• Identifying areas with high levels of PM pollution, which can then be targeted for clean-up
efforts.
• Tracking trends and patterns in PM pollution over time.
• Developing and implementing products or policies to reduce PM pollution and protect public
health.
In this blog, we will cover the different methods of measuring PM2.5 and discuss why it is now more
important than ever to involve modern technologies in this process.
The traditional way of measuring PM2.5
The conventional way of measuring PM2.5 is to use a reference method called the gravimetric
method. This method involves collecting PM2.5 particles on a filter and then weighing the filter to
determine the concentration of PM2.5. The gravimetric method is accurate but it is also tedious,
time-consuming, and expensive, making it an inefficient method.
New technologies for measuring PM2.5
In recent years, several new technologies have been developed for measuring PM2.5. These
technologies are more affordable and more accessible to use than the gravimetric method.

2. Optical spectroscopy: One of the most promising new technologies for measuring PM2.5 is optical
spectroscopy. Optical spectroscopy uses light to measure the size and concentration of PM2.5
particles. Optical spectroscopy is accurate and fast, and it can be used to measure PM2.5 in real
time.
Laser scattering: Another promising new technology for measuring PM2.5 is laser scattering. Laser
scattering uses a laser beam to measure the size and concentration of PM2.5 particles. Laser
scattering is accurate and fast, and it can be used to measure PM2.5 in real time.
Beta Attenuation Monitor: The Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM) is a widely used method for
measuring airborne particulate matter (PM) concentrations, specifically focusing on PM2.5 and
PM10. The BAM measurement method is based on the principle of beta attenuation, which involves
the attenuation (reduction) of beta radiation as it passes through a filter loaded with particulate
matter. The beta radiation source used in the BAM is typically a radioactive isotope, such as
promethium-147 (Pm-147), which emits beta particles.
The BAM method provides continuous real-time measurements of PM2.5 concentrations, allowing
for near-instantaneous data availability. It is widely used and recognized as a standard method for
regulatory compliance monitoring and research purposes.
Particulate Testing: One of the most interesting modern methods is particulate testing. Particulate
testing is the process of measuring the concentration of particulate matter in a given environment.
Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. It can be
generated from various sources, including combustion, industrial processes, and natural sources
such as dust and pollen.
Several different methods for particulate testing include–
• Sieving: This method involves passing a sample of air through a series of sieves with different
mesh sizes. The particles trapped on the sieves are then weighed to determine the concentration
of particulate matter.
• Impaction: This method directs a stream of air at a surface coated with a sticky material. The
particles in the air are then impacted onto the surface and can be counted or weighed.
• Optical microscopy: This method uses a microscope to count and measure the size of particles
in a sample of air.

3. Newer methods for particulate testing include:
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS): This method uses a high-energy
plasma to ionize particles in a sample of air. The ions are then separated and measured by their
mass to determine the concentration of different types of particulate matter.
• Total suspended particulate (TSP): This method measures the total mass of particulate matter
in a sample of air.
The choice of particulate testing method depends on many factors, including the size of the
particles to be measured, the concentration of particulate matter in the air, and the desired
accuracy of the results.
What are the benefits of using new technologies to measure PM2.5?
There are a number of benefits to using new technologies to measure PM2.5.
• New technologies are more affordable and have no such maintenance costs. This makes it
possible for more people to measure PM2.5, which can help to improve air quality monitoring.
• These are also easier to use than the gravimetric method. This makes it possible for people with
less technical expertise to measure PM2.5, which can help to expand the reach of air quality
monitoring.
• New technologies can be used to measure PM2.5 in real time. This allows people to take action
to protect their health when PM2.5 levels are high, making it highly beneficial. There are also
data accessibility and analysis opportunities on a personalized dashboard.
• Data calibration and monitoring take only a few seconds with these devices.
How do we measure PM2.5 at Ambee?
Traditional methods for tracking air pollution have remained the same since the 1900s, which can
be seen as outdated and inefficient. These methods are not scalable and only cover a minimal
portion of a city, leaving the majority unmonitored. Despite these limitations, governments are
compelled to utilize this technology due to a need for alternatives.
At Ambee, we combine data from on-ground sensors, remote imagery from satellites, and other
sources. Our proprietary models measure, process, and analyze data from over a dozen sources,
processing many terabytes of data every day.
We also provide sensors to monitor city-wide air quality and emission levels. These devices use use
low-cost sensors for continuous AQ monitoring. These sensors work on the Non-Dispersive Infra-
Red (NDIR) principle, widely accepted as the industry standard at this level. Ambee’s sensors are
extremely reliable, as proven in tests and real-world scenarios, with uptime for all the devices
at approximately 98.8%.
Learn more about Ambee’s IoT-Enabled sensor network here.

4. To derive meaningful insights, we employ our proprietary artificial intelligence and sophisticated
data science and analytics methodologies. By harnessing the power of these technologies, we can
generate air quality data at a granular level, precisely pinpointing air pollution information down to
individual zip codes. This enables us to provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of air
quality, empowering governments and communities to make informed decisions and take necessary
actions to address air pollution issues.
We use globally valid data that follows US EPA standards to provide relevant recommendations.
Measuring and monitoring particulate matter–The future
As we know, new technologies are revolutionizing how we measure PM2.5 due to their affordability
and ease of use. As a result, they are making it possible for more people to measure PM2.5, which
can help to improve air quality monitoring and protect public health.
The help of technologies like air quality sensors and a combination of different methods to generate
one highly accurate dataset to measure PMs is the best way forward for the betterment of human
and planetary health. This can help reduce outdoor air pollution and initiate indoor air quality
measurement for a safer future.