Want to build an air pollution monitor

Projects General Guidance
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Hi. I'm interested in building a device that will monitor 1) the particulate level in the air, like PM2.5, and 2) the volatile chemicals in the air, like engine exhaust or formaldehyde. I understand the two will probably require separate sensors.

I hope someone well versed in those sensors can give me a simple breakdown of different technologies used, cost, and effectiveness in monitoring different things. For instance, I need the particulate sensor to be effective at reading particles that are 0.3micron or less.

Once I have the sensors selected, I think it should be easy to get it working with an Arduino and a display, no?

I'm also considering buying off the shelf monitors. But I'm not sure which route I should go. Please advise.
Thanks

3

A Google search for "PM2.5 sensor Arduino" turned up at least one reasonably-priced ($40-ish) sensor and some tutorials. Adafruit has one:

A Google search for "VOC sensor Arduino" turned up a combined CO, Alcohol, VOC sensor for $15:

4

Nice cheap intro is the IKEA VINDRIKTNING, which is easily hacked.
You can easily fit an 8266 inside the case.

I have a couple with BME280 and external 18Ds20

5

Both of these require a fan to bring the air to the sensor.

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The Adafruit PM2.5 sensor includes a fan.

7

I have not looked, does it also include a calibration scenario based on the air volume being moved by the fan? Same must be done for VOC sensor.

8

Thanks. Do particulate monitor usually specify the size of the particles it can monitor? For instance, if I'm only interested in particles 0.3 microns or below, how do I make sure the monitor is not giving me readings of particles 1 microns and above?

Thanks

9

You filter then out BEFORE the sensor!

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