Development and Application of a Next Generation Air Sensor Network for the Hong Kong Marathon 2015 Air Quality Monitoring.

Li Sun,Ka Wong,Hao Huang,Dane Westerdahl,Peng Wei,Zhi Ning,Sheng Ye,Peter Louie,Fenhuan Yang,Connie Luk

doi:10.3390/s16020211

Abstract

This study presents the development and evaluation of a next generation air monitoring system with both laboratory and field tests. A multi-parameter algorithm was used to correct for the impact of environmental conditions on the electrochemical sensors for carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollutants. The field evaluation in an urban roadside environment in comparison to designated monitors showed good agreement with measurement error within 5% of the pollutant concentrations. Multiple sets of the developed system were then deployed in the Hong Kong Marathon 2015 forming a sensor-based network along the marathon route. Real-time air pollution concentration data were wirelessly transmitted and the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for the Green Marathon was calculated, which were broadcast to the public on an hourly basis. The route-specific sensor network showed somewhat different pollutant patterns than routine air monitoring, indicating the immediate impact of traffic control during the marathon on the roadside air quality. The study is one of the first applications of a next generation sensor network in international sport events, and it demonstrated the usefulness of the emerging sensor-based air monitoring technology in rapid network deployment to supplement existing air monitoring.

Highlights

Air pollution has been shown to have direct links to adverse health effects, even following short duration exposures [1,2,3]
This study reports the development of a generation air sensor-based monitoring system and
This study reports the development of a generation air sensor-based monitoring system its application for the international Marathon in Hong Kong

Summary

Introduction

Air pollution has been shown to have direct links to adverse health effects, even following short duration exposures [1,2,3]. Pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, from combustion sources can increase the possibility of respiratory infections. Participants in sports, especially endurance athletic events, such as marathons, may be at special risk of adverse health outcomes, whether they are elite or amateur participants. They experience several health stressors in combination during events, Sensors 2016, 16, 211; doi:10.3390/s16020211 www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors

Methods

Results

Conclusion