AQ-SPEC evaluates air quality sensors that are widely commercially available and measure the common criteria pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). We can also evaluate the performance of sensors measuring black carbon, ultrafine particles, methane (CH₄) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). In order to be considered for evaluation, a sensor must meet the sensor selection criteria (please see below).

• The sensors shall measure one or more of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) criteria pollutants, air toxics, pollutants of concern, and non-air toxics. Examples of the targeted gases and particles are carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and methane (CH₄); and particulate matter including PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, black carbon and ultrafine particles
• The sensors shall be capable of measuring ambient concentration levels.
• The sensors shall be widely commercially available.
• The sensors must be new and submitted as a triplicate for testing.
• The sensors shall provide real- or near-real time measurements.
• The sensors data recording time resolution must be shorter than 5 minutes and the data must be retrievable as a file.
• The data collected by the sensors must be accessible by AQ-SPEC throughout the evaluation time period.
• The market cost of the sensors shall be considered “low-cost” such that the cost for each parameter that is measured is less than $2,000.

Currently, there is no charge for AQ-SPEC sensor evaluations. The AQ-SPEC program is funded by the South Coast AQMD.

AQ-SPEC evaluates sensors in triplicate, so three new identical sensors must be received by AQ-SPEC to perform an evaluation.

Please send your sensors to the AQ-SPEC team at the address indicated below:
South Coast AQMD
Attn: AQ-SPEC / Randy Lam
21865 Copley Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765
USA

First, sensors are evaluated in the field at one of SCAQMD’s fixed air monitoring stations for 8 weeks. Depending on the field testing results, sensors may subsequently be evaluated under controlled environmental conditions (e.g. variable temperature and relative humidity) in the AQ-SPEC laboratory chamber.

The field testing evaluation report is typically published within a month of the conclusion of the 8-week field co-location test against US EPA approved method instruments (e.g., regulatory-grade, research-grade).

Yes. Sensors that are not ruggedized are placed in our custom-built instrument shelter. This shelter protects the sensors from the weather while being open enough to sample ambient air quality conditions.

No. The raw sensor must be integrated with power and data communication/storage options at the factory. AQ-SPEC does not integrate raw sensors with power and data options for an AQ-SPEC evaluation.

The instrument shelter is wired with 120 volt A/C power. For DC sensors, please provide the appropriate AC/DC converter.

Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity are available at the South Coast AQMD air monitoring station.

Field deployments typically take place at either the South Coast AQMD Rubidoux air monitoring station or at the Interstate 710 freeway site in Long Beach (a near-roadway monitoring station).

Reports for field and laboratory testing can be found by going to the AQ-SPEC Sensor Evaluation Summary page.
For additional questions about our sensor testing protocol and/or other aspects of the AQ-SPEC program, please contact:
South Coast AQMD / AQ-SPEC
21865 Copley Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4178
AQ-SPEC hotline for sensor-related questions only: +1 (909) 396-2713
E-mail: info.aq-spec@aqmd.gov