This document discusses concerns about the accuracy of low-cost air quality monitoring systems and potential solutions. It notes that while low-cost systems allow for scalable and remote monitoring, questions remain about data accuracy given sensor limitations and environmental factors. Potential solutions proposed include active sampling to avoid environmental impacts, sensor calibration, and location detection tools. The document argues that implementing these solutions can produce effective and accurate low-cost monitoring.

1. Is the accuracy of low-cost air quality monitoring systems a valid concern?
INTRODUCTION
of us are breathing unsafe
air. This map just shows how
bad the problem is.
~World Economic Forum
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The need for monitoring the quantities of
various pollutants, present in ambient air,
has not been more than now.
Ambient Air quality monitoring systems
generate data which contains information
about the levels of different air pollutants
like CO2, CO, NOx, SOx, O3, PM2.5, PM10, etc.
using sensor based technology that help
in developing strategies to mitigate
them.
Source: WEF
92%
”
“

2. Is the accuracy of low-cost air quality monitoring systems a valid concern?
HYPE AROUND THESE DEVICES
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Low-cost ambient air quality monitoring systems allow people to not only operate their devices remotely
using wireless network protocols but also provide data that is easy to retrieve.
These devices have become the popular choice amongst people because of three main factors, namely:
1. Affordability 2. Scalability 3. Compact size

3. Is the accuracy of low-cost air quality monitoring systems a valid concern?
CONCERNS REGARDING DATA ACCURACY
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Frequently encountered questions consist are:
⮚ Does low cost mean low quality?
⮚ How do we determine the accuracy of the data collected?
⮚ How effective is the measurement done by these devices; if there is a cluster of pollutants that show
similar characteristics?
⮚ Is the quality compromised for the sake of affordability?
⮚ Are these devices free of environmental effects during sample collection?
⮚ Is the location detection precise?

4. In-built GPS can be used for precise prediction of location and
more specific range of the sensor that helps in generating
accurate local data.
SOLUTIONS Is the accuracy of low-cost air quality monitoring systems a valid concern?
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Using Active sampling instead of passive sampling
procedure helps in collecting samples without the
effects of environmental factors like temperature,
humidity, etc.
Calibration is useful for ensuring the effectiveness of
sensors and avoiding technical errors.

5. THESE SYSTEMS ARE EFFECTIVE Is the accuracy of low-cost air quality monitoring systems a valid concern?
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By putting the solutions in practice, efficient and
accurate devices are developed. At Oizom, we
provide three-level calibration to ensure that
there are no errors in measurement. The use of
active sensors in place of passive sensors increases
data accuracy.
Through active sampling technology, Oizom
systems can achieve up to 13% higher accuracy
than the industry standards enabling us to offer
insight into ambient air quality data.

6. ADDITIONAL FEATURES Is the accuracy of low-cost air quality monitoring systems a valid concern?
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Oizom offers software with modules offering different functions
like color-coded representation for impact assessment, hi-res
pollution heatmaps for real-time source apportionment and
more functions that help to analyze the data according to the
users’ requirements.
And all this, at an affordable price. Proving that price doesn’t
trump quality.