Tests

During the LIFE VAQUUMS-project the selected low cost air quality sensors are extensively tested in both lab and field conditions. 

The laboratory tests of the gas sensors were conducted from September until November 2018 at RIVM. The laboratory tests of the PM-sensors were conducted at TNO from October 2018 until January 2019. During these tests the accuracy, correlation with a reference instrument, stability, co-pollutant interference, influence of temperature and relative humidity and the intra-sensor variability were determined. More information about these tests can be found in the test protocol.

In February 2019, the sensors were transferred from lab to field and the field tests started. To place the sensors as close as possible to the reference monitors at the measurement station in Borgerhout (Antwerp, Belgium) three specially designed shelters were constructed. Within these shelters the sensors are protected from rain and sun. Air circulation is guaranteed by two ventilators per shelter. The data of the sensors are stored in two databases.