Sustaining low-cost PM2.5 monitoring networks in South-Asian Countries: technical challenges and solutions

Abstract

The need to monitor South Asia’s air quality stems from its significant negative effects on human and environmental health. Traditional, regulatory-grade air quality monitoring systems have proven costly to operate and very difficult to maintain in most South-Asian countries. Low-cost sensor (LCS) networks have been touted as a viable alternative, but the challenges to sustain them have not been evaluated or thoroughly documented. The acceptance of such monitors, specifically by regulatory agencies, across South-Asian countries is still lacking. Lack of acceptance is due to prevailing myths (especially, in the regulatory circles of South-Asian countries) about their accuracy, precision, consistency, dependability, maintenance, and calibration concerns. The present study fills that knowledge gap through a systematic multi-country empirical analysis while also providing evidence-based solutions to enhance the longevity of LCS across diverse operational environments. Specifically, this study describes strategies and maintenance plans for operating large LCS networks of TSI BlueSky (8143) Sensors across several South-Asian countries, with a focus on problems caused by power outages, power surges, weather conditions, and continued exposure to high amounts of dust and pollution. The article provides further support that incorporating LCS networks into the regulatory framework can facilitate the enforcement of environmental regulations and legislation against polluters. The goal is to develop a more reliable and long-lasting air quality monitoring system that will assist regional environmental regulatory authorities in reducing air pollution-related health hazards and consequent socio-economic disruptions.