From village greens to volcanoes: Using wireless networks to monitor air quality

Summary form only given. Air quality mapping is a rapidly growing need as people become aware of the acute and long term risks of poor air quality. Both spatial and temporal mapping is required to understand, predict and improve air quality. The collision of several technologies has led to an opportunity to create affordable wireless networks to monitor air quality: short range radio on a chip; GPS and internet maps; GSM integrated chips; improved batteries and solar power; Python and other internet languages; and low power, low cost gas sensors with ppb resolution. Bringing these technologies together requires collaboration between electronics engineers, mathematicians, software programmers, atmospheric chemists and sensor technology providers. And add in local politicians because wireless networks need permission. We will discuss implementation and results of successful trials and look at what is now underway: Newcastle, Cambridge and London trials (MESSAGE); Cambridge UK real time air quality mapping (2010); Heathrow airport air quality network (2011); volcanic ash mapping; landfill site monitoring networks; indoor air quality studies; and rural air measurements. Each application has its own requirements of power, wireless protocol, air monitoring needs, data analysis and presentation of results.