Simple Air Sensor

activity:simple-air-sensor

The Simple Air Sensor is a prototyping and onboarding kit for study design around air sensing. It is also part of an effort to develop an open source project and community that functions similarly to #PurpleAir, so that, over time, people can transfer the expertise they've developed as #PurpleAir users regarding installation, organizing, communication, etc to an open source ecosystem. In this way, this kit offers an "offramp" from a corporately controlled, closed source project that lacks public forums for asking and answering questions, or for organizing and advocating around the data collected. **NOTE: The colored light displayed by this sensor is not related to the [Air Quality Index (AQI) colors](https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi) in any way.** **** ## Uses * to see immediate qualitative differences in air quality at low cost; by displaying a realtime colored light readout, this kit supports explorations into how the particulate sensor used in the closed source #PurpleAir responds to varying air conditions * to build familiarity with the electronic components used in air sensors without having to program * to use in groups (with 3+ sensors) to plan out placement of a #PurpleAir or other more expensive sensor, for example with consideration for wind direction and spacing ### Context This project emerged from observations that while many people share an understanding of the importance of "right to know" laws and of the purpose that transparency serves in a society, here is much less awareness of the fragility of technology, and the (inadvertent) gate-keeping role of expertise that leaves people without a pathway to "knowing how they know." This project is part of a longterm effort to encourage a culture of empiricism. ### More about what's in the Simple Air Sensor This sensor circuit uses the same type of particle detector as the #PurpleAir sensor, but only one as compared to #PurpleAir's two; does not include a temperature, humidity and pressure sensor as the Purple Air does; and instead of logging either to the cloud or to the device itself, it displays a red/yellow/green light that illustrates the PM2.5 levels it detects without converting into an Air Quality Index (AQI). ### This project is part of an ecosystem Quite a few people have built simple open source, Arduino-based devices around the cheap #plantower particulate air sensor [datasheet](http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/aq-spec/resources-page/plantower-pms5003-manual_v2-3.pdf), see: * @julieta's work on https://github.com/rlyehlab/eter (and [blog post](https://medium.com/read-write-participate/a-green-approach-to-open-source-in-buenos-aires-3331861a1bc1)) * @guolivar's work: https://github.com/guolivar and blog https://cona-nz.blogspot.com * https://www.rigacci.org/wiki/doku.php/doc/appunti/hardware/raspberrypi_air This is a version that is easy to assemble (no soldering, just push wires into a breadboard), and comes pre-programmed. We also offer it [assembled and ready to plug in in the Public Lab Store](https://store.publiclab.org/products/simple-air-sensor "https://store.publiclab.org/products/simple-air-sensor"). **Parts List** 1. 1 [Arduino](https://www.amazon.com/KeeYees-Module-Soldered-ATmega328P-Arduino/dp/B07H57TLRW/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=arduino%20nano%20soldered%20usb%20cable&qid=1551459803&s=gateway&sr=8-3) 2. 1 [RBG LED Light](https://www.amazon.com/EDGELEC-Tri-Color-Multicolor-Diffused-Resistors/dp/B077XD5T8P/ "https://www.amazon.com/EDGELEC-Tri-Color-Multicolor-Diffused-Resistors/dp/B077XD5T8P/") 3. 1 [Sensor](https://www.ebay.com/itm/PlanTower-High-Precision-Laser-Dust-Sensor-Module-PM1-0-PM2-5-PM10-PMS5003-G5/183583507609?hash=item2abe6e0499:g:i6IAAOSw~D5cEjKZ:rk:5:pf:1&frcectupt=true "https://www.ebay.com/itm/PlanTower-High-Precision-Laser-Dust-Sensor-Module-PM1-0-PM2-5-PM10-PMS5003-G5/183583507609?hash=item2abe6e0499:g:i6IAAOSw~D5cEjKZ:rk:5:pf:1&frcectupt=true") with cable[](https://www.ebay.com/itm/PlanTower-High-Precision-Laser-Dust-Sensor-Module-PM1-0-PM2-5-PM10-PMS5003-G5/183583507609?hash=item2abe6e0499:g:i6IAAOSw~D5cEjKZ:rk:5:pf:1&frcectupt=true) 4. 1 [Breadboard](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KKE602W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ## Activities [notes:grid:activity:simple-air-sensor] Add an activity or request an activity guide you don't see listed ## Questions [questions:simple-air-sensor] **** [](/i/30002?size=original) [](/i/35143?s=o) ...