This is an independent evaluation conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on the performance of the Kunak AIR air quality monitoring station during the 2017 Wildland Fire Sensors Challenge. This challenge was organised by the USEPA and other federal agencies to encourage the development of innovative technologies to measure air pollutants emitted by wildland fires, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and carbon dioxide (CO2).
During the challenge, Kunak AIR A10 stations demonstrated outstanding performance in measuring PM2.5, CO, and O3. In the first phase, conducted in a controlled environment within a stainless-steel chamber at a USEPA research centre, Kunak’s solutions achieved the best results in terms of accuracy without prior calibration. Although the second phase, carried out in the Rocky Mountains, was partially limited by the lack of 2G connectivity in the test area, Kunak sensors were still able to detect changes in gas concentrations in real time. This efficiency allowed Kunak’s solution to be used not only as an air quality monitoring device but also as an early fire detection system.
In recognition of its performance, Kunak Technologies received an Honourable Mention in the challenge.
