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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The BAM method provides continuous real-time measurements of PM 2.5 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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%.

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Learn more about Ambee’s IoT-Enabled sensor network.

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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.

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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.

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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.