Air Quality Monitoring: Decoding 'Four Gases and Two Particulates' and the Monitoring Station

In the environment we live in, air quality is closely related to our health. In recent years, "four gases and two particulates" have gradually become the focus of people's attention, and the related air quality monitoring systems are also playing an increasingly important role. So, what exactly are "four gases and two particulates", and what are the corresponding monitoring systems? Let's find out.

I. Understanding "Four Gases and Two Particulates"

"Four gases and two particulates" are common monitoring items in micro environmental monitoring stations and are key indicators for evaluating air quality.

The "four gases" include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuels. Approximately 80% of it is emitted by automobiles, and it can also be generated by forest fires, the incineration of agricultural waste, etc. It is also an important raw material for synthesizing a series of basic organic chemical products and intermediates, but it is easy to be overlooked and can lead to poisoning.

Nitrogen dioxide is reddish-brown in color. It mainly comes from the release during high-temperature combustion processes, such as the exhaust emissions of motor vehicles and the emissions from boiler waste gases. About two-thirds of it comes from the emissions of mobile sources like automobiles. At the same time, biological sources such as the decay of organisms are also one of its natural sources, and it is an important air pollutant.

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas with a strong pungent odor and is one of the main air pollutants. It can be produced during volcanic eruptions and many industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum usually contain sulfur compounds, sulfur dioxide is generated when they are burned.

Ozone is an allotrope of oxygen. It is light blue in color at room temperature and has an odor similar to that of fishy smell. The ozone layer in the atmosphere can protect the earth's organisms from the harm of ultraviolet rays, but high concentrations of ozone near the ground can be harmful to human health.

The "two particulates" refer to PM2.5 and PM10. PM2.5, that is, fine particulate matter, refers to particulate matter in the ambient air with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. It can remain suspended in the air for a long time. The higher the content and concentration, the more serious the air pollution. Its small particle size, large surface area, and strong activity make it easy to carry toxic and harmful substances, such as heavy metals and microorganisms. Moreover, it can stay in the atmosphere for a long time and be transported over long distances, having a great impact on human health and the quality of the atmospheric environment. PM10 refers to inhalable particulate matter with a particle size of less than 10 micrometers, which can also affect air quality and the human respiratory system.

II. Air quality monitoring station

In order to grasp the concentration changes of air pollutants such as "four gases and two particulates" in real time and accurately, an Air quality monitoring station has been designed. It is an environmental monitoring instrument that integrates monitoring, analysis, and processing. Through sensors and wireless technology, it conducts comprehensive and accurate monitoring of various pollutants in the air.

Its parameters can be flexibly configured. In addition to the core "four gases and two particulates", it also includes six meteorological parameters such as wind speed and wind direction. It can be adjusted according to different monitoring needs and environmental characteristics, providing comprehensive support for data analysis and decision-making. It has outstanding cost advantages. By adopting non-national standard method sensor technology and without the need for a station building, it greatly reduces the construction and maintenance costs, achieving wide coverage at a low cost and facilitating large-scale monitoring.

This system can conduct all-weather online monitoring. The sensors continuously output data, and the management personnel can access the data at any time and receive warnings through the matching software platform. The equipment adopts a modular design, which is easy to repair. When the monitoring parameters are abnormal, the corresponding module can be replaced to ensure the continuity of monitoring. The data storage and management are convenient. With a built-in large-capacity storage device and equipped with a big data platform, it can store data for a long time and conduct visual analysis of the data, providing a basis for environmental research and policy formulation.

Through technologies such as 4G and GPRS, users can view the data in real time and remotely control the equipment on the computer or APP terminal. When the limit is exceeded, it will give warnings in multiple ways. Moreover, it is simple to install, has a compact design, and does not require professional personnel. It is suitable for various scenarios such as cities, parks, and schools, and can quickly build a monitoring network.