TL;DR: IoT-based air quality monitoring uses networks of low-cost sensors to provide real-time data, wider coverage, and easier deployment than traditional monitors. However, these sensors are generally less accurate than reference-grade monitors, require calibration, and carry minor IoT security risks.
Why air quality monitoring matters
Air pollution is a major threat to global health. Air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone, among others, can contribute to cancer and cardiovascular diseases. In 2019, ambient air pollution is estimated to have caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide.
Air quality monitoring can help address air pollution by measuring the extent of the problem, raising public awareness, and supporting both the development and enforcement of air pollution regulations. Yet, there are different kinds of monitoring solutions to choose from.
What is IoT-based air quality monitoring?
IoT refers to the Internet of Things. IoT devices are a network of physical devices that are embedded with software and network connectivity, meaning that they can collect and share data over a network without any outside help from human beings. IoT is a relatively new technology, but according to Fortune Business Insights, the global IoT market size was valued at 864.32 billion US dollars in 2025, and the market is projected to grow.
IoT-based air quality sensors are implemented as a network of connected devices. Many different air quality sensors can collect and share real-time data and analysis. IoT-based sensors often use cloud-based platforms for collective data storage and visualization.
IoT-based air quality systems typically use low-cost air quality sensors. Low-cost air quality sensors became popular in the 2010s. They are smaller and more affordable than reference-grade air quality monitors. Reference-grade air quality monitors are the traditional monitoring method, which has been in use for decades. Ideally, both kinds of sensors should be used together to promote a holistic view of local air quality.
What are the benefits of IoT-based air quality monitoring?
IoT-based air quality monitoring allows for wide-scale deployment. Since sensors can connect to networks and can transmit data remotely, large numbers of sensors can all be easily managed from a central point. Having many sensors offers benefits that a single reference-grade monitor may not be able to provide. For instance, a network of sensors will be better able to catch air pollution hotspots and identify neighborhood-level changes in air quality.
Where traditional reference-grade air quality monitors may require laboratory analysis, technical servicing, and high levels of maintenance, IoT-based air quality sensors typically do not need as much manual intervention. They can often be deployed and maintained relatively easily. This can help cut costs and human labor, which can be very significant for reference-grade monitors. A single FRM or FEM monitor can cost between $15,000 and $40,000 or more, with operating costs that can be similarly expensive and may even exceed the initial purchase price over time.
Traditional monitors may be slow to provide continuous real-time data to the public, but IoT-based air quality sensors are able to provide near-instant public access to air pollution levels. Since sensors can transmit measurements automatically through connected networks, this enables sensor data to be accessed quickly and easily. This can become extremely useful during rapidly changing air quality events such as wildfires. Access to local, real-time air pollution data enables the public to best protect themselves from polluted air.
What are the potential setbacks of IoT-based monitoring?
Low-cost air quality sensors with IoT technology are typically not as accurate as reference-grade monitors. With strict performance criteria, the latter remains the gold standard for air quality monitoring, providing the most reliable data. Although air quality sensor technology and accuracy have improved, they are still not quite on par with traditional reference-grade monitoring systems.
Although IoT-based air quality sensors generally require less maintenance than traditional monitors, they do still require calibration to ensure reliable measurement. Calibration involves tuning the air quality sensor’s output to more closely match reference monitor readings. Clarity offers remote calibration free of charge as a part of our Sensing-as-a-Service offering.
All IoT devices come with minor security risks, and IoT-based air quality sensors are no exception. They can be vulnerable to attacks and insecure communication. However, Clarity uses enterprise-grade encryption to secure data at rest and in transit. Verification and secure cloud storage protect against snooping.
Looking forward
While IoT-based air quality monitoring has both pros and cons, it can provide useful and affordable air quality data to better protect the public and the environment. Partner with Clarity today to implement a low-cost IoT-based air quality sensor network.