Environmental · Air Quality
Low-Cost Air Quality Monitor
Beginner 3 weeks 15-25 hours
Build a PM2.5 air quality sensor with an Arduino, log indoor and outdoor air for a month, and compare to the EPA Air Quality Index.
Major
Environmental
Focus area
Air Quality
Total hours
15-25 hours
What you'll need
- Arduino Uno R3 ATmega328P microcontroller board
- PMS5003 PM2.5 particulate matter sensor
- DHT22 AM2302 temperature humidity sensor module
- microSD card data logging module for Arduino
- breadboard jumper wires male female assortment pack
- waterproof electronics project enclosure box
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Steps
- Wire the PMS5003, DHT22, and microSD module to the Arduino.
- Program the Arduino to log PM2.5, PM10, temperature, and humidity every minute.
- Log indoor air for 1 to 2 weeks, then outdoor air in the sheltered enclosure for 1 to 2 weeks.
- Calculate daily averages and convert them to AQI categories.
- Compare your data to the nearest official AirNow monitor and note what caused spikes.
- Chart the results and document the monitor for your portfolio.
What to photograph for your portfolio
- Finished monitor
- wiring close-up
- indoor vs outdoor PM2.5 chart
- comparison to AirNow
- spike events log
Resume bullet starters
Copy one, then swap in your own numbers.
Built an Arduino-based PM2.5 monitor and logged [X] days of indoor and outdoor air quality data
Compared sensor readings to the nearest EPA AirNow station and identified [X] sources of indoor particulate spikes
Quantified results with [insert your result, such as removal percentage, accuracy, strength, or cost savings] and summarized findings in a technical report
Skills you'll show off
Sensor integrationArduinodata loggingtime series analysisair quality standards