Performance Testing Protocols, Metrics, and Target Values for Fine Particulate Matter Air Sensors: Use in Ambient, Outdoor, Fixed Site, Non-Regulatory Supplemental and Informational Monitoring Applications
Citation:
Duvall, R., A. Clements, G. Hagler, A. Kamal, Vasu Kilaru, L. Goodman, S. Frederick, K. Johnson Barkjohn, I. VonWald, D. Greene, AND T. Dye. Performance Testing Protocols, Metrics, and Target Values for Fine Particulate Matter Air Sensors: Use in Ambient, Outdoor, Fixed Site, Non-Regulatory Supplemental and Informational Monitoring Applications. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-20/280, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
The use of air sensor technologies has grown exponentially for a variety of applications. However, there is still significant variability in data quality from air sensors. There are currently no standard testing protocols, metrics, or targets to evaluate the performance of air sensors uniformly. Without these standard procedures, it is difficult for consumers to understand the performance of any given device and select sensors that are appropriately suited for a desired application. The U.S. EPA developed a report outlining testing protocols, metrics, and target values to evaluate the performance of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air sensors for use in non-regulatory supplemental and informational monitoring applications. This work is important as it will provide a consistent approach for sensor performance evaluations, help increase confidence in data quality, help stimulate improvements and development in the marketplace, and help consumers choose sensors appropriate for applications of interest. Groups that would be interested or could apply the results from this work include state/local/tribal agencies, EPA Regional Offices, other Federal agencies and departments, international organizations, academia, sensor manufacturers/developers, sensor testing organizations, and the general public.
Description:
The use of air sensors has grown exponentially for a variety of applications; however it is widely known that sensor data quality is highly variable. There are currently no standard testing protocols, metrics, or targets to evaluate air sensor performance uniformly. It is recognized that air sensors will not meet the stringent requirements for existing certification programs (specifically the Federal Reference and Equivalent Method, or FRM/FEM, Program) for instruments used for regulatory monitoring under the Clean Air Act. While air sensors cannot be used for regulatory monitoring, they can be useful for what EPA refers to as ‘non-regulatory supplemental and informational monitoring (NSIM)’ applications. Standard protocols for evaluating sensors are needed to help provide confidence in data quality and help consumers select appropriate sensors for their intended NSIM application. This report outlines step-by-step testing protocols to evaluate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air sensors for NSIM applications. Specific performance metrics (in other words, parameters used to describe sensor data quality), guidance on how to calculate those metrics, and associated target levels are also provided.
URLs/Downloads:
ORD038269 APPENDIX H SUPPLEMENT_FILLABLE REPORTING TEMPLATE FOR PM2.5 ENHANCED TESTING PROTOCOL_FINAL.PPTXPERFORMANCE TESTING PROTOCOLS, METRICS, AND TARGET VALUES FOR FINE PARTICULATE MATTER AIR SENSORS PDF (PDF, 79 pp, 8884 KB, about PDF)
ORD038269 Appendix F Supplement_Fillable Reporting Template for PM2.5 Base Testing Protocol_Final. PPTX