Unconventional Reducing Gases Monitoring in Everyday Places

Abstract

Air pollution, be it indoors or outdoors, is a major environmental health concern as it can lead to serious health effects, such as respiratory diseases, including asthma and lung cancer. Much progress has been made in Europe in improving outdoor air quality and limit values have been set for several pollutants. However, indoor air quality also requires attention because this is where we spend most of our time. Measurements at appropriate spatial and temporal scales are essential for understanding and monitoring heterogeneous environments with complex and highly variable emission sources, such as in urban areas. However, the costs and complexity of conventional air quality measurements methods means that measurement networks are generally extremely sparse. Low-cost, easy-to-use sensors to monitor air quality are exploded in recent years. They can be considered the “next-generation air monitors”. The data collected might be used to improve communities and, eventually, affect how air quality is monitored and regulated. They are marketed as tools to empower citizen to learn about the air they breathe and to use their findings to take actions. Therefore, the development of low-cost air quality sensors, an increasingly aware and engaged public, and a government more willing to accept and help citizen collect data could mark a turning point in how air pollution is monitored and addressed in the country. In this study, measures of reducing gases were taken in indoor and outdoor unconventional environments, poorly investigated in the past. The levels of these gases were investigated by means of a Sensordrone™ low-cost multi-sensor in a household kitchen and in three different gas stations. The results highlight that these sensors well interpret the qualitative behavior of the oxide - reduction reactions. Future technologies could link reducing gas’ concentrations with value of electrical resistance. These developments will allow a better control of human exposure to air pollution also in other sectors as biological treatments of waste and industrial sectors where fugitive emissions are still a problem.