THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO MEASURE AIR POLLUTION
CHEMICAL & PHYSICAL METHODS AND/OR MORE SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES
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Contaminants are measured in one of two ways: either through continuous (real-time) on an automatic network or non-continuous (discrete) monitoring on a non-automatic network.
AUTOMATIC NETWORK
- Using continuous monitoring the stations provide data on an hourly basis.
- The air is constantly measured and the data is automatically transmitted to a central database.
NON-AUTOMATIC NETWORK
- In non-continuous monitoring, contaminants collect on a filter or canister less frequently over a specified period of time (such as one, three or six days).
- A technician collects the filter or canister and sends it to a certified laboratory for measurement and analysis.
HOW WE ANALYZE THE FINDINGS
- Continuous and non-continuous data are housed in a central data by DEFRA where it is screened by data validation technicians for errors.
- Once the data has been certified as correct (i.e., validated), the data can then be used for reporting out to the public, comparing with objectives and guidelines, regulatory purposes, and by scientists for more detailed analysis.
