Case Study

Porto Alegre implements an innovative air quality monitoring system

Municipal Secretariat for the Environment, Urbanism and Sustainability

Sector: Urban

Need

Porto Alegre (Brazil) faced significant air quality challenges due to intense vehicular traffic and increasing urbanisation. The lack of real-time data made it difficult to accurately assess pollution levels, hindering the development of effective public policies and limiting public awareness of environmental and health risks.

It was crucial to establish a robust monitoring system combining compact and regulatory stations that could provide accurate and real-time information on the city’s air quality.

The implementation of this system marks a milestone in Porto Alegre’s environmental management, providing essential tools to tackle urban pollution challenges.

Porto Alegre implements an innovative air quality monitoring system - Kunak

Solution

In response, the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment, Urbanism, and Sustainability (Smamus) implemented a pioneering air quality monitoring system. This project involved the installation of five fixed Kunak stations and an Acoem mobile reference station in strategic locations with high traffic density and population concentration.

The stations are equipped with cutting-edge technology supplied by Acoem Brasil, including Kunak AIR Pro stations, renowned for their precision and reliability in measuring atmospheric pollutants.

The Acoem Brasil Environmental division was contracted also to handle the installation, operation, and maintenance of the equipment, with an investment of R$ 2.95 million, funded by the Municipal Environmental Protection Fund (Fundo Municipal Pró-Defesa do Meio Ambiente).

The system consists of six air quality monitoring stations:

Five fixed Kunak AIR Pro stations located at:
- Rodoviária Station
- Antônio de Carvalho Terminal
- Medical Association of Rio Grande do Sul (Amrigs)
- Triângulo Terminal
- Restinga Hospital
One Acoem mobile reference station, based at Smamus headquarters, which can be relocated as needed.

Results

Since its launch, the system has enabled real-time data collection and dissemination on key pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).

Additionally, the stations measure meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, and wind direction.

This information is publicly accessible via an online platform, promoting transparency and encouraging citizen participation in environmental issues. Furthermore, the data collected has helped identify critical areas and implement targeted corrective measures to improve air quality in the city.

This project represents a significant advancement in Porto Alegre’s environmental management, equipping the city with state-of-the-art tools to monitor and improve air quality, ultimately benefiting public health and sustainability.

Benefits

Continuous, real-time air quality monitoring
Public access to up-to-date data, fostering awareness and environmental education
Ability to identify specific pollution sources and high-risk areas
A solid foundation for environmental policy development
Enhanced technological infrastructure for environmental monitoring

Project details

Customer: Municipal Secretariat for the Environment, Urbanism and Sustainability

User: Municipal Secretariat for the Environment, Urbanism and Sustainability

Location: Porto Alegre, Brazil

Sector: Urban

Year: 2025

Parameters:

Carbon monoxide (CO)
Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀)
Ozone (O₃)
Temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, and solar radiation

Solutions

AIR ProProfessional air quality monitoring station
AIR Pro
The most accurate air quality monitoring station

SENSOR-BASED | BEST AVAILABLE ACCURACY

Benefits
- Multi-pollutant
- Smart cartridge system
- Fully autonomous
- Real-time data
- Proven accuracy
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AIR CloudAir quality software
AIR Cloud
Multipurpose air quality software for professionals

REAL-TIME DATA | ALWAYS UPDATED

Benefits
- Secure and condifential
- Air quality reporting
- Advanced data analysis and visualisation
- Reliable data guaranteed
- Data sharing and integration
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Carbon monoxideReliable real-time data on CO
Carbon monoxide
Reliable information about carbon monoxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Electrochemical
- R² >0.85
- Range: 0-12,000 ppb (Type A) | 0-500 ppm (Type B)
- Resolution: 1 ppb (Type A) | 0.01 ppm (Type B)
- 24 months of operating life
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Sulphur dioxideReliable real-time data on SO₂
Sulphur dioxide
Reliable information about sulphur dioxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Electrochemical
- R² >0.7
- Range: 0-10,000 ppb
- Resolution: 1 ppb
- 24 months of operating life
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Nitrogen dioxideReliable real-time data on NO₂
Nitrogen dioxide
Reliable information about nitrogen dioxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Electrochemical
- R² >0.85
- Range: 0-12,000 ppb (Type A) | 0-500 ppm (Type B)
- Resolution: 1 ppb (Type A) | 0.01 ppm (Type B)
- 24 months of operating life
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OzoneReliable real-time data on O₃
Ozone
Reliable information about ozone

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Electrochemical
- R² >0.9
- Range: 0-2,000 ppb
- Resolution: 1 ppb
- 24 months of operating life
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Particulate MatterReliable real-time data on suspended particles
Particulate Matter
Reliable information about particulate matter

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs
- Optical particle counter
- Up to R² >0.9
- Range: 0-1,000 | 0-2,000 | 0-10,000 ppb
- Resolution: 1 μg/m³
- 24 months of operating life
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