What causes smog in UK cities?

UK smog results from two main processes. Summer smog forms when vehicle NOx emissions and VOCs react in sunlight to produce ground-level ozone. Winter smog occurs during temperature inversions that trap PM2.5 from vehicles, heating systems, and industry near ground level. Both types are worsened by street canyon effects that limit pollutant dispersal in dense urban areas.

How many sensors are needed to monitor smog effectively?

Coverage requirements depend on city size and pollution source density. For a mid-sized UK city (population 200,000 to 500,000), a network of 30 to 60 sensors at 200 to 500 metre intervals along major roads and around key sources provides sufficient spatial resolution to identify hotspots and evaluate interventions. This can be expanded as monitoring priorities evolve.

Can air quality sensors replace reference monitoring stations?

No. Dense sensor networks complement reference stations rather than replace them. Reference stations provide the highest accuracy measurements needed for legal compliance assessment. Indicative sensor networks, particularly those with MCERTS certification, provide the spatial coverage needed to understand where pollution varies across a city and to direct targeted interventions.

What is the difference between PM2.5 and PM10?

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. PM10 refers to particles up to 10 micrometres in diameter. PM2.5 is more dangerous because smaller particles penetrate deeper into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream. Both are regulated under UK and EU air quality standards, with PM2.5 receiving increasingly strict limits due to its stronger association with cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

Smog Monitoring with Air Quality Sensors

Sju miljoner människor dör i förtid varje år av luftföroreningar, enligt Världshälsoorganisationen. En betydande andel av dessa dödsfall inträffar i städer där smog — en blandning av marknära ozon, kvävedioxid, svaveldioxid och fina partiklar — når koncentrationer som skadar människors hälsa inom timmar efter exponering.

Smogövervakning med smarta luftkvalitetssensorer

Vad smog är och varför det bildas

Begränsningar med konventionell övervakning

Hur täta sensornätverk förändrar smogövervakning

Multiföroreningsmätning

Distributionsscenarier

Solenergi och mobil anslutning

Från data till handling

Vanliga frågor

Vad orsakar smog i brittiska städer?

Hur många sensorer behövs?

Kan luftkvalitetssensorer ersätta referensstationer?

Skillnaden mellan PM2.5 och PM10?

Redo att komma igång med miljöövervakning?