Robert, OP; Rahman, M; Honda, K; Shrestha, A; Vaseashta, A (2011). SnO(2) gas sensors and geo-informatics for air pollution monitoring. JOURNAL OF OPTOELECTRONICS AND ADVANCED MATERIALS, 13(6-May), 560-564.

Abstract
Increased consumption of fossil fuels arising from population growth has resulted in increase in air population. The Bangkok metropolitan area is cited as one of the most polluted cities in Southeast Asia, thus necessitating air quality monitoring that provides assessment and situational awareness in real-time. Conventional air pollution monitoring methods are expensive, bulky, rarely used in real-time, and require costly maintenance by trained personnel. The objective of this investigation is to develop a simple, reliable, low-cost, portable and real-time air pollution monitoring system for use in central Bangkok areas. In this investigation, nanotechnology based SnO(2) semiconducting gas sensors were used to measure NO(2) gas concentrations. The sensors show good performance characteristics, including high selectivity and sensitivity to NO(2) gas (< 0.05 - 5 ppm) with 82% accuracy, calibrated in-situ with data measured from the Bangkok Pollution Control Department. The operation of the device is practically maintenance free. In addition, Aerosol Optical Thickness data were evaluated from MODIS to identify the correlation with PM(10) data acquired from field measurements. The correlation and distribution of air pollutants are transferred to a Pocket PC linked via Bluetooth communication tools and a Global Positioning System for rapid and simultaneous dissemination of information on pollution levels at multiple sites so that air quality in Bangkok areas can be retrieved and disseminated to concerned citizens and decision makers. Eventually, public awareness and involvement in detecting and responding to unhealthy air quality readings can be enhanced for policy guidance by using this air quality monitoring system.

DOI:
1454-4164

ISSN: