Rishikesh Bose supervised by Dr. Sachin Chaudhari received his Master of Science by Research in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE). Here’s a summary of his research work on IoT for Air Quality Monitoring: From Low-Cost Sensor Calibration to Construction Impact Analysis:
Air pollution, whether indoors or outdoors, presents substantial threats to human health. These threats arise from the presence of pollutants in the air, which can have adverse effects on respiratory and cardiovascular systems, among other health impacts. Indoor air pollution often results from activities such as cooking, heating, and the use of certain household products, while outdoor air pollution stems from industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and other external sources. This paper tackles these pressing concerns through a comprehensive approach involving two interlinked studies. The first study delves into the evaluation of four low-cost carbon di-oxide (CO2) sensors, specifically designed for monitoring indoor air pollution. These sensors are tested against a high quality reference device in a controlled indoor environment at IIIT-H, India. The findings emphasize the importance of local calibration, even for factory-calibrated sensors, to ensure accurate and reliable measurements. Various machine learning algorithms are employed for calibration, enhancing the sensors’ performance and usability. The second study extends the investigation to outdoor air pollution, focusing on a construction area situated approximately 300 meters from a residential apartment in Hyderabad, India. Utilizing Internet of Things (IoT)-based air pollution nodes, the research assesses pollution patterns across both indoor and outdoor environments in four adjacent blocks near the construction site. Parameters such as particulate matter 2.5 and 10 (PM2.5, PM10), CO2, volatile organic compound (VOC), temperature, and humidity are measured to provide a comprehensive understanding of the air quality. The study also explores the correlation between different pollutants and employs box plots for detailed analysis. The combined insights from these studies offer a holistic perspective on the impact of air pollution on both indoor and outdoor environments. This research contributes valuable data to the ongoing global efforts aimed at addressing air quality issues. It not only enhances our understanding of the performance of low-cost sensors for indoor air monitoring but also sheds light on the far-reaching effects of construction-related air pollution. Ultimately, the findings aim to inform policymakers, construction companies, and the public, facilitating the development of effective strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with air pollution.
December 2024