26 october 2022, the European Commission published some great news. They want to make stronger rules about water, ground and air pollution. A new goal is about to be set; an environment free of harmful pollution by 2050. The European Commission wants a revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives and the list of controlled pollutants. The European Commission will set stricter rules for fine particulate matter, PM 2.5, and cut the maximum level allowed by more than half by 2030. Finally, the responsibility for cleaning up pollution is now clarified; from now on the accountability lies with the ones causing pollution. These are steps toward the European Green Deal- an environment free of harmful pollution by 2050. Why? Every year nearly 300 000 Europeans die as a result of air pollution, many of them prematurely. Each day new information comes about the degree to which public health is directly endangered by pollution. We know the water and ground is polluted and we know the air we breathe is not clean. The pollution implies danger and high risks of sickness to humans and the environment. It is not just a huge cost for our health and the earth, it is also a huge economical cost. The cost of healthcare to treat health problems caused by pollution as well as the huge amount of money needed to clean up polluted areas. By tackling pollution and making strict rules now, billions of euros can be saved. Barcelona is one of the most polluted cities in Europe, together with Athens and Milan. The new rules and regulations will prevent pollution from occurring. There will also be a change in norms- the polluter will pay to clean up. Not associations, volunteers, governments or tax-payers. In this way pollution will be tackled from both ways, both preventing pollution and clarifying the responsibility for decontamination. The European Commission is spreading hope with this initiative. They show that they are ready to take action against pollution. But they also encourage you and me to be a part of this. One thing you can do today is to investigate the air quality around you. How is the air quality at your job? How is the air quality in your children's school? How is the air quality in the area where you live? By monitoring air quality you can map the pollutants around you and take action against poor air quality and air pollution. We at Sensorbee will provide you with the tools you need, read more here.

With air quality monitors from Sensorbee you can monitor the pollutants in the air and take action against poor air quality. But what pollutants are we talking about? Let’s take a closer look at these greenhouse gases. You have probably heard about them many times. These pollutants have been the centre of attention for a long time when it comes to climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, has been studying and reporting about the effects of greenhouse gases for more than 30 years. But these emissions have been known and measured for a much longer time. A Swedish scientist named Svante Arrhenius was the first person to calculate the greenhouse effect focusing on CO2 using basic principles of physical chemistry as early as 1896. It is said that modern science focusing on climate change and pollutants started in the 1950s and 60s. The pollutants in focus for Sensorbee So, what pollutants and greenhouse gases are the main focus for air quality monitors from Sensorbee? CO2 (carbon dioxide) is the fourth most abundant gas in the atmosphere being the main greenhouse gas. Burning fossil fuels and deforestation are the main causes of the increased levels of CO2 and also the main causes of global warming and climate change. Plants, algae and cyanobacteria use carbon dioxide in a process which we know as the photosynthesis, and produce oxygen as a waste product. Us humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out CO2. Carbon dioxide is a natural gas around us, but increased levels since the start of the industrial revolution contribute to the greenhouse effect and higher temperatures. Too much CO2 in the air we breathe is dangerous and will cause unconsciousness and suffocation. NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) is mainly found in combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. By natural causes it is introduced to the environment through bacterial respiration, volcanoes and lightning. Nitrogen dioxide as a greenhouse gas is absorbing sunlight and regulating the chemistry of the troposphere, the layer closest to us in the atmosphere. The most prominent source of NO2 is vehicles with internal combustion engines. High levels of nitrogen dioxide in cities are mainly caused by traffic. NO2 can affect your lung capacity and is linked to developing asthma in children. Nitrogen dioxide is a common indoor pollutant through for example gas stoves and tobacco smoke. O3 (ozone) exists in both the stratosphere and the troposphere. In the stratosphere it is an important gas to protect the earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. In the troposphere it is a greenhouse gas and prevents heat from leaving the earth. O3 can also be found closer to the ground, for example in lightning, urban smog and it is an attractive gas in several industries. O3 has a specific smell and it can cause harm to the photosynthesis in plants and cause injuries to the lungs in humans. SO2 (sulfur dioxide) is invisible and has a particular smell to it, the smell of burnt matches. It is produced by the combustion of any substance that contains sulfur, such as sulfur-bearing fossil fuels and in the process of copper extraction. SO2 is released naturally by volcanic activity. SO2 exposure can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat with symptoms such as nasal mucus, choking, cough, and reflex bronchi constriction. Long-exposure to SO2 affects the lung defences and worsens existing cardiovascular disease. It also causes damage to animals and plants and it creates acid rain when oxidised to sulfuric acid in the atmosphere. CO (carbon monoxide) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that is lethal. It is produced when fuel burns in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. When CO is inhaled, it mixes with the red blood cells and prevents transportation of oxygen in the bloodstream. The exposure of CO to a person can cause illness and even death. Carbon dioxide is not directly a greenhouse gas, but it affects the abundance of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. All thes pollutants are the main focus for us at Sensorbee. Our goal is to fight poor air quality and help people take action against climate change through monitoring and data. Do you want to read more about our air quality monitors? Click here.

There are different ways to measure the air quality. You can install fixed position monitors and measure the air in one area. You can also install mobile monitors on vehicles and measure different surroundings in motion. Mobile air quality monitors together with fixed position monitors creates an air quality monitoring system which gives you the whole picture of the emissions of the chosen area. Why should you even monitor data of emissions and pollution? The answer is; to fight poor air quality and climate change. Yes, these subjects are huge and overwhelming. Maybe you feel like giving up. But please don’t. Let’s fight this together. One important step is to measure and collect data in the air. Once you have the data you can see the levels of carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Decode the data and then you know what actions you need to take. We’ve just updated our mobile air quality monitor. Now it’s even more reliable thanks to the special design of the protective housing. You can fasten the mobile monitors from Sensorbee on the roof of vehicles (cars, buses, trucks etc.) using either the magnetic feet or screws. The mobile air quality monitor is powered by 5V USB cord and has built in cellular connectivity and GPS to geolocate every sample. So you can get the data you need to map emissions. What are the benefits of mobile air quality monitors? There are several benefits using this kind of monitor, here is a list: Mobile air quality monitors from Sensorbee make it possible to measure emissions and pollution in places where fixed position air quality monitors are hard to install. With mobile monitors you can obtain hyperlocal data. Mobile monitors make it possible to extend the geographic area of monitoring, and that gives you even more environmental data to consider and help you to take action. Mobile air quality monitors from Sensorbee are very versatile and can be installed on different kinds of vehicles. With mobile monitors you can get data based on regular journeys, read more about a research project with mobile monitors from Senorbee here. Mobile monitors are small and flexible, but yet powerful. Mobile air quality monitors are a great tool to come across hotspots of emissions and mapping these polluted areas. We, the team on Sensorbee, want to give you the toolset to monitor and fight emissions and pollution. Together we can prevent poor air quality and make the future green. Are you ready to take the fight?

The electrification of cars and buses is a big step towards zero emissions and a society with good air quality. A green and healthy future. But is it true that electric vehicles don’t contribute to any pollution? Let’s start with some history. Electric cars might seem like something new and innovative. But in fact, it isn’t. Did you know the first car ever was electric? Already in the beginning of the 1800s scientists in different countries started to do research and experiment with motors and batteries. The first car as we see it, was an electric wagon with three wheels made by Robert Anderson around 1830. Electric vehicles were a big thing in the late 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. 1886 Carl Benz introduced his car with an internal combustion engine (ICE) running on petrol. When the ICE cars evolved to be started with electricity instead of with a crank the electric cars got competition on the market. Electric cars became expensive in comparison with petrol cars due to the battery prices and marginalised capacity. The 1900s has been a century focusing on internal combustion engines, but in the 1990s electric cars slowly got back on the market and are now an important part of the fight against pollution and climate change. End of history lesson. Now, let’s take a look at the critical parts of electric cars. Critical voices have been loud about the production of the electricity that electric cars need. Electricity contributes to emissions of CO2 when it is produced, just like petrol and diesel does. The production of electricity in Sweden however, contributes less to emissions than electricity produced in Germany, for example. Another thing to consider is the production of lithium batteries used in electric cars. The batteries contribute more to emissions of CO2 than the production of cars with internal combustion engines. A new report from Umeå Universitet gives another perspective on electric cars and how they contribute to pollution and poor air quality. Electric cars are usually heavier and have wider tires than petrol and diesel cars. This makes electric cars more capable of loosening small particles from the roadway that end up in the air and in our lungs. Even more when they have studded tires. This kind of problem is already an issue in big cities like Stockholm. According to the report, the asphalt particles are harming our lungs and can cause heart diseases and psychological problems. Health problems due to pollution are already a reality and something that needs to be stopped. Otherwise the expenses of the public health, environment and economic loss for society will increase. Sensorbee is part of the solution to these problems. With technology made to measure emissions and pollution both inside and outside you get necessary data to fight poor air quality. When the pollution is measured you get the facts needed to take action. Do you want to know more about our technology and how we together can fight pollution and poor air quality? Contact us!

Often when we think about air pollution we picture heavy traffic, huge chimneys and factories. When we think about clean, fresh air our minds tend to wander away to nature, rippling streams and deep forests. But how about the air we breathe where we live? And how about the air our children breathe during all their years in school? Research has several times pointed out that good air quality is very important for children's health and their ability to perform well in school. But why is this important? It’s easy to underestimate what poor air quality can do to our health. Here are some risks and effects: Short term health effects Fatigue Headache Dizziness Difficulty concentrating Low energy Lack of motivation Long term health risks Allergy Asthma KOL Cancer The Public Health Agency of Sweden and the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning says that schools need to implement a mandatory check of the ventilation (in Swedish shortened OVK) every third year. The report “Dags att rensa luften” (Time to clean the air) made by Blue air and Augur in 2021 shows there is no regulation about particles and emissions in the air, it is just about the air flow. The smaller particles in the air are the most harmful ones, because they can make their way into the bloodstream through the lungs and cause damage and health issues. This is about the inside air. How about the outside air? Do we even consider the air children breathe during breaks or waiting for the school bus? Particles from vehicles, airplanes, combustion etcetera ends up in the air, and it may travel quite a bit through the wind. What can you do about it? One important step to fight air pollution is to monitor the air quality and evaluate the data. In that way you get a clear picture of the situation and can take further actions depending on the findings. With air quality sensors from Sensorbee you can measure both the inside and outside air. By monitoring the air quality both inside and outside school buildings you get the full picture. Then you can take action against particles and emissions in the breathing air. By doing so you contribute to a safe and healthy environment for the children and for the future! David Löwenbrand, CEO Sensorbee Do you want to know more about monitoring air quality like this? Read more about our sensors here, or contact us!

At the Sustainability Institute of Leeds Beckett University Sensorbee sensors are active in several research projects, all led by Dr Jim Parker. Air pollution around schools, greens barriers and hot spots in the city - learn more about the upcoming projects here! I am really fond of David Löwenbrand and the Sensorbee team! They have been really responsive and helpful throughout our entire collaboration. I am aware that several companies can deliver similar products and services, but Sensorbees' positive attitude towards working together and creating solutions makes them stand out, says Jim. Jim's work focuses around energy modeling of buildings and of the urban environment. He also has a research interest within environmental monitoring in urban environments. Jim got in touch with Sensorbee through their partner, Piera Systems. - I was looking for particle sensors and got in touch with Piera. They recommended us to go through Sensorbee, since the Piera particle sensors are included in the Sensorbee products. And it turned out to be a great match, I literally can’t praise Sensorbee enough! Three upcoming projects BeeUrban is the name of a whole new product that is being developed right now as part of a research project surrounding so-called urban heat islands. Urban heat islands is a city phenomenon, where urban areas without larger areas of plants or water tend to be warmer than for example areas with nearby parks. - This is primarily because gray objects, which tend to be well represented in the cities, stay warm longer. Green and blue spaces heat up faster but cools down much faster too and can help with regulating the temperature. What we want to look at is the effect of green and blue spaces in the city of Leeds. The sensors that will be used, BeeUrban, will have a very long battery life and be able to connect to the mobile network. BeeUrban will be placed all around Leeds and the collected data will be visualized to show the temperatures around the city. The second project where Sensorbee sensors will be used is at the Leeds General Infirmary. The hospital has been part of central Leeds for over 250 years and is now host of the Innovation Pop Up. An initiative that drives to create room for innovation where researchers, health care staff and the industry can meet. ...it turned out to be a great match, I literally can’t praise Sensorbee enough! - As part of the Pop Up the General Infirmary has dedicated a space to promote new technologies. The sensors from Sensorbee will be installed in this area to measure the pollution levels and compare it to other areas of the hospital. The final upcoming project is initiated by the Leeds City Council and explores the effect of green barriers. A green barrier can be described as a wall of plants, meant to have an improving effect on climate and pollution. The sensors will be set up around schools to measure both the internal and external air quality and compare areas with green barriers to those without. ……………… Do you want to learn more about how Sensorbee products are used within research? Visit our blog about Ride the Future and The most polluted street of Stockholm.

Many Linköping residents have met the colorful autonome buses that traffic Linköping University and Vallastaden. What you might not know is that these are not only buses, but mobile research stations. The research project Ride the Future, coordinated by VTI, uses the buses for many things. One of those is to gather data about the air quality of their surroundings. VTI, the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, has a mission to perform research related to infrastructure, traffic and transport in Sweden, and to contribute to the development of the goals of Swedish transport policy. Throughout the project of Ride the Future, sensors from Sensorbee have been used to evaluate the use of mobile air quality sensors and how mobile and fixed sensors can complement each other. - By using our mobile sensor installations we get a better picture of how the air quality varies in time and space, says David Löwenbrand, CEO of Sensorbee. The Sensorbee units used in the study have given valuable information of air pollution levels that can be useful for planning purposes and general recommendations to the public. - Our sensors are especially good at measuring small-sized pollution, which data from this study clearly presented, David Löwenbrand says. The sensors used in the study measure particles in different sizes, measure temperature, humidity and wind. The study showed that they could very much be relevant for research purposes. The collected data in this research was visualized with the software platform EdevaLive from Edeva, who was a partner in the project. We know Sensorbee and working with them is easy. It would be interesting to make more studies and measure other kinds of air pollution, measuring vehicles with higher speed and speed with other sensors too. Nina Svensson, Researcher Air quality, VTI The sensor model used in the study was Sensorbee Air Quality sensors. Would you like to perform a study using our sensors? Please contact us today to learn more.