Measuring 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 not just about collecting data. It is about ensuring that this data is reliable, comparable and useful for decision-making that affects health, regulatory compliance and major public and private investments.
In this context, Kunak AIR Pro has recently obtained the Grade 1 certification for PM2.5 measurement after successfully passing the tests carried out by the KOTITI Testing & Research Institute in South Korea, one of the most demanding independent organisations in the field of environmental instrumentation assessment.
What a Grade 1 certification means
Grade 1 represents the highest level of performance within the particle measurement equipment certification scheme. To achieve it, the instrument must demonstrate behaviour comparable to reference-grade instruments in parameters such as:
Grade 1 represents the highest level of performance within the particle measurement equipment certification scheme. To achieve it, the instrument must meet the criteria specified for the climatic chamber evaluation and the equivalence evaluation:
- Accuracy and relative accuracy of measurement compared with reference values.
- Repeatability, meaning consistency of results under similar conditions.
- Data acquisition rate.
- Coefficient of determination with equivalence instruments during comparative testing.
These tests are performed under controlled and comparative conditions, providing external and objective validation of the instrument’s actual performance.
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Why PM2.5 is a particularly critical pollutant
PM2.5 (particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns) are among the most harmful 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 because of their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory system. For this reason, they are subject to increasingly strict international regulation and require highly accurate measurement systems.
Obtaining a Grade 1 certification for this pollutant means meeting especially demanding technical requirements and demonstrates the system’s ability to produce reliable data in real-world applications.
A validation that reinforces Kunak’s quality strategy
The certification obtained in South Korea is not an isolated milestone but an external confirmation of Kunak’s data quality strategy, applied from the design and manufacturing stages of its monitoring stations.
As indicated in the product catalogue and specification sheet:
- All sensors are calibrated and tested in accordance with CEN/TS 17660 and the EPA/600/R protocols, metrics and target values for 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. - All data are traceable to internationally recognised standards such as Directive (EU) 2024/2881 and USEPA 40 CFR Part 53.
Kunak AIR stations deliver performance levels close to reference instruments, meeting the requirements for Class 1 DQO (Data Quality Objectives) defined in European regulations and EPA protocols for PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, CO and SO2.
Measuring accurately to decide better
Inaccurate measurement can lead to wrong decisions. Such decisions may translate into ineffective investments, regulatory non-compliance or, in the worst cases, direct impacts on workers’ and citizens’ health.
This is why professional environmental monitoring requires more than just sensors. It requires traceable, independently verified data that has been evaluated by third-party experts.
The Grade 1 Korea certification achieved by Kunak AIR Pro reinforces this approach and confirms Kunak’s commitment to providing reliable, actionable information for informed decision-making.
Discover how Kunak AIR stations work and how they ensure data quality in real-world applications.
Test chamber evaluation
| Evaluation Item | Evaluation standard | |||
| Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Out of Grade | |
| Repeatability | >80% | >70%~
≤80% |
>60%~
≤70% |
≤60% |
Equivalence evaluation
| Evaluation Item | Evaluation standard | |||
| Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Out of Grade | |
| Relative accuracy | >80% | >70%~ ≤80% | >60%~ ≤70% | ≤60% |
| Data acquisition rate | >80% | – | – | ≤80% |
| Accuracy | >80% | >70%~ ≤80% | >50%~ ≤70% | ≤50% |
| Coefficient of determination | >0.8 | >0.7~
≤0.8 |
>0.6~
≤0.7 |
≤0.6 |
Acknowledgements
Kunak would like to express its sincere appreciation to Young-uk Yoon, Senior Sales Manager, and the entire team at APM Engineering for their dedication, professionalism, and invaluable support throughout this process.
Their collaboration has been key to achieving this important milestone and further strengthening our commitment to data quality and innovation in environmental monitoring.