Tag: citizen science

Review: Atmotube PRO2 – From Consumer Gadget to Citizen Science Instrument

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

The Atmotube PRO2 marks a significant evolution in the world of personal air quality monitors (PAQMs). While it retains the rugged, familiar aesthetic of the original Atmotube PRO, the internal upgrades transform it from a consumer gadget into a serious scientific tool. Having put this device through a rigorous “field test”, it is clear that ATMO has listened to the research community to solve the most nagging pain points of the first generation.

Technical Specifications: A Scientist’s Toolkit

Here is the breakdown of the sensor suite:

  • PM sensor for PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and PCN0.5 (Sensirion SPS30)
  • NOx and TVOC sensor (Sensirion SGP41)
  • Temperature, Humidity (Sensirion SHT40-AD1B)
  • Air Pressure (Infineon DPS310)
  • CO2 sensor (Sensirion STCC4)
  • Built-in GPS (Allystar TAU1113) and Accelerometer (MiraMEMS da213B)
  • USB-C data access Sync history data with multiple devices
  • Memory size 16MB
  • Battery Li-Po 2300 mAh
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Weight: 106 g (3.7 oz)
  • Dimensions (H × W × D): 86 x 50 x 22 mm (3.4 x 2 x 0.9 in)

Something important to keep in mind as I found evidence that the device can measure PCN0.5 particle bin. If in the future the Atmotube PRO2 provides a precise particle count for the submicron fraction, which aligning with Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS) recommendations to move beyond standard PM2.5 monitoring, this is crucial because traditional mass concentration (μg/m3) often fails to capture the significant health impacts of these tiny submicron particles.

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Help Us Breathe Cleaner Air: Citizen Science Project Seeks Donations for Wood Smoke Research

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

I won’t write a long introduction because this is of urgent matter for people to understand and support. While wood-burning stoves offer a tempting escape from soaring energy costs, they also release harmful substances into our homes and communities. These include fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), both of which have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer.

Unveiling the Hidden Danger

Despite the known risks, we still lack sufficient data on PAHs concentrations in residential areas where wood burning is common. The location of investigation will be chosen in the Netherlands or Belgium. This is where your help is crucial.

By supporting this citizen science project, you’ll help us gather vital information about the impact of wood smoke on our air quality. The project will measure PAHs and PM2.5 levels in a residential area heavily reliant on wood burning for heating. This data will be invaluable for raising awareness among policymakers and advocating for stronger air quality regulations.

How Your Donation Makes a Difference

Analyzing air for PAHs is a complex process requiring specialized equipment and laboratory analysis. With your support, the project will:

  • Purchase air pumps and ten (10) absorption tubes to collect air samples.
  • Conduct laboratory analysis to identify and quantify PAHs.
  • Measure PM2.5 levels using advanced sensors.
  • Compare PAHs levels in wood-burning areas to background levels.

Join the Fight for Clean Air

Your donation will directly contribute to a healthier community. Together, we can uncover the hidden dangers of wood smoke and work towards cleaner air for everyone. Finally, I want to thank Dieter Pientka for his passion to investigate this crucial subject.

Help us make a difference. Donate today!