A distributed user-oriented IoT-based Air Pollution Monitoring

Environmental health services are paramount for ensuring the Quality of Life (QoL) in cities, with urban design playing a pivotal role. The rapid urbanization of cities globally has exacerbated air pollution, posing severe health risks to residents. Air quality is closely tied to human health, and elevated pollutant levels can lead to various illnesses, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. Indoor and outdoor air pollution is a leading cause of premature deaths in some regions. To address these challenges, governments and organizations are investing in air quality monitoring. This paper presents an IoT-based Air Pollution Monitor (APMIoT) comprising Raspberry Pico W embedded wireless systems and multiple sensors. These APMIoT modules transmit real-time data to a cloud server architecture, enabling the computation of pollutant indices and an Air Quality Index (AQI). Users can monitor and compare air quality data through an intuitive dashboard interface. The APMIoT includes key sensor modules for measuring particle matter, humidity, temperature, GPS coordinates, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and CO2 levels. It utilizes FreeRTOS for modular programming, ensuring independent handling of various processes. ThingSpeak serves as the cloud server, collecting, analysing, and visualizing data from single and multiple APMIoT devices. Custom analytics provide in-depth pollutant analysis and AQI representation. Testing demonstrates system reliability and alignment with external AQI data sources. This paper underscores the importance of open-source, customizable air quality monitoring systems for both indoor and outdoor settings. It offers a robust tool for environmental monitoring and air quality assessment, essential for managing urban health and well-being effectively.