The results of the 2019 AIRLAB Microsensors Challenge* were revealed in Paris on 21st January and AQMesh was awarded the highest score for accuracy of all multi-parameter products presented for monitoring of outdoor air quality.
In this independent international comparison of small sensor air quality monitoring products, a range of manufacturers submitted three examples of their product to be evaluated in a trial carried out by AirParif, the body responsible for monitoring air quality across Paris, and a jury of French and international experts. The objective of the project is to offer potential users an independent assessment regarding the adequacy and performance of products with respect to intended use, such as indoor, outdoor or mobile air quality monitoring.
34 commercially available small sensor air quality monitoring systems, or ‘microsensors’, were assessed by the Airparif teams over 4 months, with half of the systems manufactured outside France. These evaluations covered around 44 performance criteria (depending on category) and 15 pollutants were studied during the four-month project. Trials were carried out in the Paris region – in a metrology laboratory, in motion on vehicles and people, and on Airparif reference stations, depending on the category of use.
AQMesh was evaluated for the highest number of pollutant measurements offered within a single system for outdoor air quality monitoring: NO, NO2, O3, PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. The scoring applied for cost relates to the product specification submitted for the Challenge, and AQMesh compared well with the top performers in the category based on cost per pollutant measured. In addition to the 6 pollutants measured with AQMesh in this study, other options available in a single AQMesh pod include CO, H2S, SO2, CO2, noise, wind speed and wind direction. All AQMesh units also measure temperature, pressure and relative humidity.
Full results of the Challenge are available on the AIRLAB website:
http://www.airlab.solutions/en/news/results-international-challenge-2019
The AIRLAB summary suggests that a product life for the small sensor systems in general of 12-18 months but an AQMesh unit is expected to operate optimally in the field for at least five years. The report also mentions that the results were obtained with Paris pollution levels and the weather conditions and that users selecting a product for use in different outdoor conditions should verify operation in those conditions. Previously published articles relate to AQMesh pods in use for over six years, at different pollution levels and in harsh environmental conditions:
https://www.aqmesh.com/news/two-aqmesh-pods-operating-across-spain-for-over-6-years/
https://www.aqmesh.com/news/aqmesh-thrives-through-another-harsh-winter/
https://www.aqmesh.com/news/aqmesh-shows-high-accuracy-local-ozone-readings-across-global-locations/
The UK-based AQMesh team submitted the product for the Challenge with their distribution partner in France, Addair, but the product is available either directly or via a network of global distributors.
* This Challenge is part of the activities of AIRLAB, accelerator of technological or behavioural solutions to improve air quality, and was created by Airparif and its founding partners in September 2017, with funding from the Ile-de-France Region. www.airlab.solutions/en
