IAQM publishes Position Statement on the use of low-cost sensor systems for PM10

The IAQM has published a new Position Statement outlining their position on the use of low-cost sensor systems for PM10, in the vicinity of demolition and construction sites. It is designed to sit alongside the use of the IAQM guidance on Air Quality Monitoring in the Vicinity of Demolition and Construction Sites (2018).

The Position Statement sets out the IAQM’s views on the use of low-cost sensor systems for monitoring PM10 around construction sites and provides recommendations for their use. It also sets out the challenges around their use and relevant standards and limitations.

Read the Position Statement

Mike Breslin, Managing Director of ANV Measurement Systems commented: 

"The three things that stand out for me are:-

1.    The IAQM does not exclude the use of Low Cost PM10 Sensor Systems as part of a monitoring regime but highlights that, unlike optical particle counters with heated inlets, they have not been developed to operate reliably at concentration ranges found around dusty construction sites.

2.    PM10 sensors deployed for construction monitoring must be able to measure concentrations well above the limit values (the IAQM recommended site action level is 190 µg/m3).

3.    MCERTS certification alone is not sufficient to demonstrate that Low Cost Systems are suitable for monitoring in accordance with IAQM Guidance. Practitioners should seek assurance from manufacturers and collect/report robust evidence that their selected systems are capable of detecting the elevated concentrations associated with construction activities."
 

About Mike Breslin:

Mike Breslin has been a professional acoustician for 39 years since graduating from the ISVR. After a short period of research and consultancy at the ISVR he became a lecturer in acoustics and electroacoustics for 4 years. After some part-time consultancy whilst lecturing, the next 10 years were spent as a full-time consultant.  In 2001 ANV Measurement Systems became the sole UK distributors of Rion sound and vibration instruments offering sales, hire and calibration. Mike continued to be involved in consultancy until 2008 from which point he has focussed solely on instrumentation. Mike was Technical Manager of the lab when ANV achieved UKAS accreditation  and has led the development of the LivEnviro System for live to web monitoring of noise, vibration, dust and weather. Mike is a member of the BSI committees EH/1/2 and EH/1/3, IOA Membership and Instrumentation & Measurement Committees and one of the authors of the current edition of the ANC Red Book on Groundborne Noise and Vibration.