The team has achieved a major milestone in the project. After five-months of monitor scoping, protocol development, testing and data analysis, the most suitable air quality monitor for the P-Block Project has been selected.
Four monitors supplied by Kaiterra, AirGradient, Mote Koala, and Synetica were short-listed and underwent extensive laboratory and real-world testing to evaluate their performance. The monitors were exposed to a range of concentrations of pollutants from lab-generated aerosols and varying concentrations of CO2 (see P Block’s Monitor Testing for more information).
The monitor performances were evaluated against international guidelines, and other factors considered included: technology, data security, service and maintenance requirements, and cost.
Although all monitors performed well, and after careful consideration of the project’s wider objectives, the AirGradient ONE has been selected as the most suitable monitor for the P-Block Project.
About Air Gradient: ‘AirGradient pioneers affordable, open-source and accurate air quality monitors. We empower thousands in 70+ countries with accessible monitors to track their air and fight for cleaner environments globally. Our open platform lets users build, customize, and deploy their own monitors. Sharing our commitment to open data, we partner with OpenAQ to make air quality information universally available.’
Work is now underway to investigate appropriate monitor placement along with other logistical considerations, such as mounting hardware and monitor security, with installation of the network beginning on P-block Level 8 later this year.
Image: The AirGradient ONE being tested in the laboratory.