Evaluation of Small Sensor Technology for Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide during the DISCOVER-AQ Study

Oral Presentation

Prepared by R. Duvall1, R. Long1, M. Beaver1, E. Hall1, S. Kaushik1, J. Szykman2
1 - US Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD D205-03, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States
2 - US Environmental Protection Agency, c/o NASA Langley Research Center, 21 Langley Blvd, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 919-541-4462


ABSTRACT

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) are regulated as criteria pollutants by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act. These pollutants are routinely monitored by state and local agencies using Federal Reference and Equivalent Methods (FRM/FEM). More recently a number of new and low cost sensor technologies for the measurement of NO2, O3 and other criteria pollutants have emerged. In order to evaluate these technologies, small NO2 and combined NO2 and O3 sensors were deployed during NASA’s DISCOVER-AQ Study in Houston, Texas during September 2013. The goal of the DISCOVER-AQ study is to help scientists better understand how to measure and forecast air quality globally from space. The sensors were collocated with FRM/FEM instrumentation at a ground based site and deployed in a citizen science based sensor network at 7 schools (combination of elementary, middle and high schools) in the Houston area. Comparisons between the sensor measurements and FRM/FEM measurements will be presented. Preliminary data show that the sensors performed well against the FRM/FEM instruments. Additional field testing of sensor technologies and implications for air pollution monitoring will also be discussed.

Disclaimer: Although this work was reviewed by EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy.