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• AirGuard is an air quality monitoring device measuring PM 2.5 and carbon dioxide levels using repurposed components.

Background

• Air quality, specifically particulate matter (PM 2.5) and carbon dioxide (CO2), is critical to health, where PM 2.5 is associated with respiratory & cardiovascular diseases.
• Elevated CO2 indicates poor indoor ventilation, affecting comfort, cognitive functions, and overall well-being.
• Air quality monitoring tech is often too expensive and inaccessible.
• Reusing discarded electronics reduces e-waste, contributing to a circular economy & lowering the demand for new electronic products.

Testing Methods

• Repurposed components undergo testing.
• Visual inspections check for damage, verifying labels and markings for component identification.
• Functional testing evaluates component performance outside the intended operational environment.
• Load testing assesses the component's stress resistance for AirGuard's expected use.
• Electrical testing uses a multimeter to check for proper electrical connections with continuity testing.
• Insulation Resistance Testing verifies no short circuits or insulation failures.
• Performance testing compares component performance against specifications.
• Stress testing identifies component failure points by pushing it to its limits.
• Environmental testing assesses performance under various temperature and humidity conditions.
• Compliance testing ensures components meet relevant industry standards.
• Cost-effectiveness is measured through experimental cost-benefit analysis of the components.

AirGuard's Aims

• AirGuard tackles challenges with an affordable air quality monitor using repurposed components for PM 2.5 and CO2 levels.
• The project promotes a circular economy, reduces e-waste, and supports sustainable resource use with environmentally friendly tech.
• AirGuard aims to make air quality monitoring practical, scalable, and eco-friendly in environments from urban areas to underprivileged communities.

Problem Statement

• The study develops an affordable and efficient real-time air quality monitoring sensor to meet standards of existing sensors, which are often too expensive for many.
• AirGuard addresses air pollution, poor indoor ventilation, and e-waste generation.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

• Systematic testing verifies accuracy, reliability, and functionality of electrical components under controlled conditions.
• The process includes visual inspection, functional testing, electrical testing, performance testing, environmental testing, and compliance testing.
• AirGuard aims to lower respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, especially among vulnerable groups, by offering a cost-effective approach to air quality monitoring, reducing costs and waste.

Research Questions

• How do repurposed components in AirGuard adhere to standards for PM 2.5 and CO2 measurement through testing?
• What is the cost-effectiveness of using repurposed components based on experimental cost-benefit analysis?
• How accurate is AirGuard's data compared to established standards and commercial systems?
• How does the accuracy of AirGuard vary under different environmental conditions?
• How does the reliability of AirGuard's measurements change under varying environmental conditions?
• How does AirGuard's data align with existing air quality regulations for PM 2.5 and CO2 levels?

Study Objectives

• The main goal is to develop an affordable real-time air quality sensor using repurposed components for PM 2.5 and CO2.
• Ensuring repurposed components meet established standards through experimental validation.
• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the cost-effectiveness of using repurposed components in air quality monitoring.
• Assess the accuracy of AirGuard's real-time data compared to established air quality standards and commercial systems.
• Investigate how the accuracy varies under different environmental conditions.
• Analyze the reliability of AirGuard's measurements under varying environmental conditions.
• Determine how the data aligns with existing air quality regulations and standards through systematic testing.

Hypotheses

• The study tests hypotheses to accept or reject based on the development of the sensor.
• Repurposed components do not meet relevant industry standards for air quality monitoring.
• The AirGuard device costs are not significantly different from existing air quality monitors.
• Data collected by AirGuard doesn't align with existing air quality and standards for PM 2.5 and CO2 levels.

Significance of the Study

• The study determines the amount of pollutants PM 2.5 and Carbon Dioxide while repurposing components.
• This exploration aids environmentalists in gauging the importance of PM 2.5 and CO2 levels in the air as well as providing notice of health risks.
• Future research can base their study around this study as a reference.
• Environmentalists can utilize the AirGuard monitoring system to help monitor air pollution levels while minimizing waste.

Definitions

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural waste product of metabolism, transported from tissues to the lungs and exhaled.
• CO2 levels refer to the quantity of carbon dioxide present in the air or blood
• Electronic waste (e-waste) consists of unwanted or non-functional electronic products nearing the end of their life such as computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines.
• The definition of an air quality sensor is a device measuring pollutant concentration, detecting indicators like temperature, humidity, etc and also detects different gases and volatile organic compounds(VOCs).

Literature Review

• Air quality monitoring tech utilizes compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards(NAAQS).
• Key areas address uncertainties in air sensor measurements involving data quality, interpretation, and management.
• Measurements address accuracy under various conditions, validity of data algorithm assumptions, and indicators(precision, accuracy)
• Real-time monitoring provides feedback on adverse weather conditions/air by processing raw data into metrics: Temp, humidity, concentration
• Integration with statistical analysis identifies trends/patterns, also, IOT Platforms allow real-time remote access/automatic alerts for the effectiveness of solving air problems.
• Clear instructions provide access to important information to enable timely intervention.

Electronic Componenets And Environmental Applications

• To monitor effectively, the AirGuard project employs ways to repurpose them.
• Visual inspections check damage and verify labels to make sure the components are suitable.
• Functional tests include bench and load checking to see performance and stress limits.
• Electrical testing verifies electrical integrity with continuity and insulation resistance checks.
• In comparison, performance testing compares components against identification.
• Compliance tests verify that components meet all relevant standards.
• Repurposing electronics not only address the issue of E-Waste, but provide for an environmentally safe future.
• When there are existing materials being used demand for new materials decrease, therefore reducing environmental impact that allows for extraction.
• Refurbishing electronics allows for low-cost, while also contributing to public health and enabling real-time monitoring of pollutants such as PM 2.5 and CO2.

Obstacles

• Issues surrounding e-waste which results in limited formal e-waste collection systems.
• e-waste ends in landfills, due to improper mixing with waste.
• There are also limited government-approved recycling facilities.
• Requires strategic planning, due to e-waste recycling not being financially viable in many cases.
• Investments in technology are essential when regarding growing e-waste problems and creating a sustainable solution.

Particulate Matter/ Carbon Effects

• Short term exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to premature death, respiratory diseases, acute/chronic bronchitis, asthma, emergency.
• These can also be prevalent in infants/children, along with individuals who have pre-existing cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
• Long-term exposure leads to premature death, especially in people with pre-existing conditions.
• Effects of carbon exposure vary with concentration and the time being exposed. 1000 ppm can induce substantial change.
• Chronic exposure to high CO2 can effect cognitive performance negatively/harmfully
• Some individuals can be more exposed to air pollutants, such as people with respiratory disease, minority groups, and elders.
• It has been shown that children, pregnant women, people that suffer from heart disease, are more vulnerable.
• The findings that safe levels of PM2.5 is 12 ug/m3.
• Exposure limits are set by regulation bodies to reduce hazards, OSHA has made a Permissible exposure which set a level for 8 hours a day.
• At various exposure levels such as 10,000 ppm is an exposure that gives generally no adverse effects/may cause drowsiness.
• Levels from 30,000-80,000 ppm can lead to elevated blood pressure/ heart rate, as well as dizziness, impaired vision, and loss for unconsciousness/possible death.