OAR Perspective on Air SensorsKristen BenedictNational Tribal Forum on Air Quality5/13/14

2

AgendaDefining SensorsState of Science/ExamplesOAR Perspective

◦Current Monitoring Requirements◦Potential Applications for Sensor

Data◦Challenges/Needs

Upcoming Conferences

3

SensorsTechnologies that include small

portable, low-cost devices

Assessing and supporting new technologyEmerging air monitoring systems (informal classification)

Group 1: Regulatory or regulatory-equivalent air monitoring stationsCost: 100Ks (in thousands), Data reliability = A+

Group 2: Smaller-footprint monitoring systems for community screening and research studiesCost: 1-10Ks, Data reliability = B+ (target)Group 3: Very small, very low cost systems enabling dense sensor networks, citizen scienceCost: 0.1-1Ks, Data reliability = ?

existing

emerging

4(slide courtesy of Gayle Hagler)

5

State of Sensor MonitoringSensor technologies in research,

development, and evaluation stageSensor Evaluation Open HouseNo sensor technologies have applied for

Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) status

6

Evaluating performance

of sensorsDetermining applications

related to citizen scienceVillage Green ProjectDeveloping guidance

documents◦Draft Roadmap for Next

Generation Air Monitoring (NGAM)

◦Air Sensors Guidebook (June 2014)

Collaboration with Office of Research and Development (ORD)

7

Air Sensors: Examples

8

Air Sensors: Examples

9

Air Sensors: Examples

10

o Criteria Pollutants Federal Reference

Methods (FRM)/Federal Equivalent Methods (FEM)

o HAPs Guidance Materials by

Pollutant Class (e.g. VOCs)

o Source Testing Test Methods/Alternative

Test Methods

OAR Perspective – Current Monitoring Network Requirements

11

OAR Perspective – Potential Applications of Sensor Data

Informing Network Design◦ Locate monitor in high concentration areas◦ Determination of gradients

Permitting◦ Help understand background pollutant

concentrationsRisk assessment

◦ Characterization & ModelingProvide insight into near road

concentrations (NO2)

12

OAR Perspective – Challenges

Data use, quality, and collectionDefining data quality and collection

needs for various users and applications

Limitations of sensors (e.g. readings at extreme meteorological conditions)

Interpretation of short term dataCommunication

Air Quality Index Levels of Health

Concern

NumericalValue

Meaning

Good 0 to 50Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk

Moderate 51 to 100

Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

101 to 150Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.

Unhealthy 151 to 200Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Very Unhealthy 201 to 300Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

Hazardous 301 to 500Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects

Messaging ChallengesAQI focuses on health effects experienced within a few hours or days

14

Research NeedsCollocation studies

Sensor monitoring technologies collocated with Federal Reference Method (FRM) instruments

Collection of data in areas without network monitors

15

Variable Provided by Manufacturer

Name of Sensor

Sensor ID

Pollutant

Date of Sensor Origin

Date of Measurement

Latitude and Longitude

Duration of Measurement

Units

Bias and Precision Results

Meteorological Measurements

Interferents

Minimum Detection Limit

Pollutant Concentration Range

Response Time

OAR Perspective –Brainstorming Collection Needs

16

OAR Perspective –Brainstorming Data Quality Objectives

Requirement Notes

Calibration Collocation Requirements

Bias and Precision Air Sensor Guidebook Recommendations

Data Completeness Ambient Monitoring Network Requirements

Siting Requirements Proximity to buildings, vegetation, etc.

17

Next StepsCase Study on Ozone

◦Define current monitoring requirements and use of monitoring data

◦ Interpretation and messaging of short term (e.g. 1-min data versus the 8-hour primary standard)

◦Data analysis (as needed)◦ Identify and describe potential applications for

sensor data◦Determine data quality/collection needs to

supplement monitoring data◦Provide outreach and guidance to citizens and

communities

18

ConferencesConference Date

NGAM Air Sensors 2014: A New Frontier

June 9-10, 2014

Environmental Measurement Symposium

August 4-8, 2014

National Ambient Air Monitoring Conference

August 11-14, 2014

19