The Changing Paradigm of Air Pollution Monitoring

• Author: Emily G. Snyder, Timothy H. Watkins, Paul A. Solomon, Eben D. Thoma, Ronald W. Williams, Gayle S. W. Hagler, David Shelow, David A. Hindin, Vasu J. Kilaru, and Peter W. Preuss
• Pages: 215-236

215

Chapter 7:

The Changing Paradigm of

Air Pollution Monitoring

Emily G. Snyder,* Timothy H. Watkins,*

Paul A. Solomon,** Eben D. Thoma,* Ronald W.

Williams,* Gayle S. W. Hagler,* David Shelow,†

David A. Hindin,§ Vasu J. Kilaru,* and Peter W. Preuss#

The air pollution monitori ng paradigm is rapidly changin g due to

recent advances in 1) the development of portable, lower-cost air

pollution sensors reporting data i n near-real time at a high-time

resolution, 2) increased computational and visu alization capabilit ies, and

3) wireless communication/infrastr ucture. It is possible that these advances

can support traditiona l air quality monitoring by supplementing ambi-

ent air monitoring and enhancing compliance monitoring. Sensors are

beginning to provide individua ls a nd communities the tools needed to

understa nd their environmenta l exposures; w ith these data individual and

community-based strategies can be developed to reduce pollution exposure

as well as to understa nd linkages to health indic ators. Each of these are as as

well as corresponding cha llenges (e.g., qualit y of data) and potential oppor-

tunities associated with development a nd implementation of air pollution

sensors are discu ssed.

* Corresponding author. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oce of Research and Development,

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711. is article has been reviewed in accordance with

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names

or commercial products does not constitute endorsement, certication, or recommendation for use.

** U.S. Environmental Protec tion Agency, Oce of Research and Development, La s Vegas, Nevada,

89119 and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Intercampus Chancellors’ Grant. e views

expressed herein, and any errors or omission s, are those of the author s.

† U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oce of Air and Radiation, Research Triangle Park, North

Carolina, 27711.

§ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oce of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Wash-

ington, District of Columbia, 20460.

# U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oce of Research and Development, Washington, District

of Columbia, 20460.

Note: Reprinted with permission from Snyder et al., e Changing Paradigm of Air Pollution Monitoring,

Environmental Science and Technology (Oct. 1, 2013), Copyright 2013 American Chemical Society.

216 Next Generation Environmental Compliance and Enforcement

Figure 7.A

Picture of handheld air quality monitor taken

with permission from Alan Mainwaring.

I. Introduction

Historically, approaches for monitoring air pollution generally use expensive,

complex, stationary equipment,1 which limits who collects data, why data

are collected, and how data are accessed. is paradigm is changing with the

materialization of lower-cost, easy-to-use, portable air pollution monitors (sen-

sors) that provide high-time resolution data in near real-time. ese attributes

provide opportunities to enhance a range of existing air pollution monitor-

ing capabilities and perhaps provide avenues to new air monitoring applica-

tions. Sensors tied to advances in computing and communication also provide

enhanced availability and accessibility of air monitoring data. Sensor devices

are currently available to monitor a range of air pollutants and new devices are

1 See J.C. Chow, Measurement methods to determine compliance with ambient air quality standards for

suspended particles. 45(5) J. A W M. A. 320 (1995); F.C. Fehsenfeld et al., Particle

and Gas Measurements, in P M S  P M: A NARSTO A-

 (P. H. McMurry, M. F. Shepherd & J. S. Vickery eds., Cambridge University Press 2004).