Air quality monitoring, defence against pollution

Controlling air qualityAir quality refers to the state of the air we breathe and its composition in terms of pollutants present in the atmosphere. It is considered good when poll...
Read more is an essential task in order to enjoy optimal environmental conditions for healthy human development and to keep the environment in good condition.

Societal developments are the primary cause of high levels of pollutants, especially in urban and industrialised environments. These places, where most of the world’s population lives, experience heavy daily traffic of fossil-fuelled vehicles and industrial processes that together worsen the conditions of the air we breathe.

Air pollution puts people’s health at risk as its presence increases the likelihood of respiratory diseases, lung cancer and respiratory complications. Air pollution is a constant danger to which we are exposed and for whose solution it is necessary to monitor air quality. This is because reliable monitoring data makes it possible to predict changes in the air. Air monitoring has proven to be an effective tool for the defence of health.

Air quality monitoring is the way to tackle the threat and consequences for the population of breathing such toxic substances in the atmosphere which, at the same time, affect other living beings. To achieve this surveillance, air quality monitoring has emerged as an essential tool for detecting pollutants that worsen atmospheric conditions and determining their concentration at any given moment.

Monitoring air pollution continuously and systematically through the use of accurate and reliable systems makes it possible to assess air quality and, at the same time, to quantify the pollutants present.

In this way, it is possible to assess whether these pollution levels exceed the limits set by environmental regulations, and to act accordingly to preserve air quality in the right environment, thus protecting human health and the environment. Through informed environmental policy decisions, action is taken to improve air quality.

Why is air monitoring necessary?

Monitoring air quality is important for a number of reasons that affect both public health and environmental conservation:

Public health

Exposure to air pollutantsAir pollution caused by atmospheric contaminants is one of the most critical and complex environmental problems we face today, both because of its global r...
Read more can cause or aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks and strokes. Monitoring helps to identify and mitigate these risks, which are greatest for vulnerable populations and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Quality of life

Clean air contributes to better general well-being and increased quality of life. People are more active, happy and productive in environments with clean and healthy air.

Environmental protection

Air pollution can damage ecosystems, acidify soils and water bodies, leading to damage to biodiversity and biological balance. By monitoring air quality, sources of pollution can be identified and measures can be taken to protect ecosystems and natural habitats.

Climate change

Some air pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and tropospheric ozoneTropospheric ozone (O3) or ground-level ozone is a gas found in the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, the troposphere, which extends up to 10 kilomet...
Read more or methane, are also potent greenhouse gasesWhile the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has been steadily and rapidly increasing in recent decades, in May 2025, CO2 surpassed 43...
Read more. Their control and reduction are essential to mitigate climate change.

Economy

Poor air quality can have significant economic impacts, including increased health care costs, lost labour productivity, and damage to agricultural crops and materials such as buildings. Monitoring and improving air quality can bring significant cost savings as well as economic benefits.

Policy and regulation

Air quality monitoring provides crucial data for formulating and evaluating environmental policies and regulations tailored to each region, country or local area. The information provided by monitoring systems helps authorities to implement effective measures and regulations to reduce pollution.

Awareness and education

Air quality data increases public awareness of pollution problems and encourages citizen participation to protect themselves from the risk of exposure and deterioration of a polluted environment.

In short, monitoring air quality is essential to protect human health, preserve the environment, mitigate climate change, ensure economic sustainability and foster a more informed society committed to air quality and environmental protection.

What does air quality indicate?

Monitoring air quality effectively requires the measurement of a number of basic atmospheric compounds. These are those that reflect the presence and concentration of various pollutants and those that develop the most harmful effects on human health and alter the environment.

The most common and critical chemical compounds to be measured in any air monitoring process should include:

• Suspended Particulate Matter (PM)
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)
• Tropospheric Ozone (O₃)
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
• Ammonia (NH₃)
• Methane (CH₄)
• Lead (Pb)

Measuring these air compounds accurately and regularly is crucial for assessing air quality.

How to measure air quality?

Monitoring air quality requires accurate and reliable air quality sensorMeasuring air quality is essential for improving human and environmental health. Changes in the natural composition of the air we breathe are common in ind...
Read mores. Conveniently installed and distributed throughout the area to be analysed, they constantly monitor air quality, providing valuable data for decision making.

The information provided by the sensors allows the identification of alarm or critical moments that occur when any of the atmospheric pollutants exceed the authorised limits. The most advanced sensors measure several air pollutants simultaneously. In addition, they do not need to be removed from the monitoring station to be accurately calibrated.

In turn, with the data they provide in real time and on a continuous basis, air quality sensors have become indispensable allies for monitoring the air in remote locations and providing well-founded recommendations for scientific research, especially in the industrial and health sciences.

Air quality sensors provide a holistic view of air quality, facilitating the identification of pollution sources, the assessment of health and environmental risks, and the implementation of effective policies and actions to improve air quality.

Characteristics of an air quality network?

Automated and continuous monitoring through the use of advanced technology such as robust air quality sensors allows real-time measurement of the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere.

In order to achieve efficient data collection, sensor networks must have the following characteristics:

Geographical coverage

Monitoring stations should be strategically located in urban, industrial, rural and high traffic areas to obtain a complete and adequate representation of the air quality of the area under study. The low cost of air quality sensors makes it possible to increase coverage by establishing fenceline monitoringAtmospheric conditions are essential to prevent damage to human health and to reduce the causes of increased mortality or serious effects of exposure to po...
Read more networks.

Frequency of monitoring

Systems should perform continuous monitoring to capture temporal variations in air quality, including when pollution peaks occur. In addition, if they do not require calibration, such as Kunak’s, their advanced technology ensures the accuracy and reliability of the data they provide.

Energy efficiency

Based on autonomous operation, the latest monitoring technology is based on wireless air quality sensors; whose energy efficiency features and end-to-end system architecture provide a great advantage in isolated, remote and complex environments,

Data integration

Use customised algorithms in measurement equipment to profile dispersion models and establish statistical analyses to complement monitoring data. This provides a more complete and reliable picture of air quality.

Accessibility and transparency

Real-time air quality data should be visible to managers to facilitate informed decision making and, at the same time, be available to the public on a regular basis to increase social awareness.

Official air quality regulations

To make sure that air quality monitoring is correct, it is important to follow official references and standards that are shown by the Air Quality Index (AQI)The air we breathe is essential to life. Good air quality makes us feel better and protects our health. The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures the pollutants...
Read more. These standards are established by internationally and nationally recognised organisations such as:

World Health Organization (WHO)

Based on sound scientific research, it produces guidance documents on methods of monitoring and assessing air quality. At the public health level, its air quality guidelines become an essential reference by establishing acceptable recommendations for the main air pollutants.

Although WHO air quality guidelines are not legally binding, their adoption and implementation can have a significant impact on reducing the risks to public health and the environment from poor air quality. They are therefore highly influential documents that countries strive to align themselves with, while adapting these recommendations to their regional capacities and contexts by setting their own standards.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA establishes the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to regulate air pollutants. In referencing them, it often takes into account WHO guidelines. These standards are first evaluated by a committee of independent experts on scientific and technical issues related to air quality.

The NAAQS are based on the review of scientific research on toxicological, clinical and epidemiological studies, as well as risk assessments of how different pollutants affect human health and the environment.

The EPA produces documents called Integrated Science and Policy Assessments that summarise the most recent and relevant scientific research on the effects of certain pollutants.

European Environment Agency (EEA)

It is responsible for collecting data from a network of air quality monitoring stations, distributed across the continent, and analysing it. Next, it is the European Commission, supported by other EU bodies, that is in charge of consulting scientists and carrying out risk assessments to establish limits and objectives for various air pollutants.

Such air quality regulation can take the form of directives (which must be transposed into national legislation by Member States), such as Directive 2008/50/EC, or regulations (which are directly applicable in all Member States).

In turn, the EEA publishes periodic reports and assessments on air quality, identifying trends and sources of pollution, as well as areas that require greater attention.

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

It acts as a key facilitating and coordinating body in global efforts to improve air quality, providing the necessary support for countries to adopt and implement effective measures that protect public health and the environment.

It plays a crucial role in promoting air quality globally. Its approach is based on coordination, technical support, raising awareness and facilitating actions at the international, regional and national levels.

To achieve this, it collects data from various sources, such as governments, non-profit organisations, and independent monitoring networks. From this research work, global and regional reports emerge, such as the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) and the World Air Quality Report.

By following these references based on key factors, it can be guaranteed that accurate and reliable air quality monitoring is an efficient and low-cost tool that anyone, whether individuals or companies, can use to achieve public health protection. and the environment at a global level.