Stationary and Portable Cost-efficient Multipollutant Monitors for High Spatiotemporal Resolution Air Quality Studies

The distribution and dynamics of atmospheric composition are spatiotemporally-heterogeneous due in large part to the emissions of pollutants or precursors and their subsequent transport, chemistry, and deposition. To understand these emissions at high spatiotemporal resolution and their implications for air quality and personal exposure, we present stationary and portable models of custom, cost-effective air quality monitors that collect 15 concentration data streams with high temporal resolution (i.e. seconds-minutes) for a mix of gases (O₃, NO, NO₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄, SO₄) and size-resolved (0.3-10 μm) particulate matter mass and particle number concentrations. A stationary model is designed for fixed (or mobile platform) operation and a wearable, portable model for measuring personal exposure. A device for speciated measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and intermediate volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) will also be presented. The devices are optimized for accuracy, precision, and response time with low-noise electronics and minimized analyte loss via the use of inert materials. The devices are designed for deployment in networks with real-time cellular transmission of data and GPS. To combat persistent problems with drift in low-cost sensor calibration and RH/T sensitivities, we present strategies specifically for low-cost sensor packages for tracking instrument calibration drift. These monitors are tested and validated in a number of environments across outdoor and indoor sites, including co-locations with reference instrumentation to evaluate measurement accuracy. This includes demonstrations of personal exposure and emissions assessment.