Utilizing a Low-Cost Air Quality Sensor: Assessing Air Pollutant Concentrations and Risks Using Low-Cost Sensors in Selangor, Malaysia

This study delves into nocturnal air quality, focusing on carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), surface ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM2.5), in contrasting areas of Banting, Selangor: the rural-industrial Olak Lempit and the rural Bukit Changgang. Employing AiRBOXSense, a rigorously calibrated low-cost sensor in Olak Lempit, alongside data from the Continuous Air Quality Monitoring System (CAQMS) in Bukit Changgang, we provide a comparative analysis of nocturnal versus diurnal air quality. The results reveal higher nocturnal pollutant levels in Olak Lempit, with peak concentrations of 60 ppb for O3, 283.18 ppb for NO2, and 46.16 ppb for CO. In contrast, Bukit Changgang showed lower levels of these pollutants, except for CO and PM2.5. Significantly, CO levels were higher in Bukit Changgang, with values ranging from 349.45 to 805.49 ppb, compared to 156.31 to 344.07 ppb in Olak Lempit. The weak correlation between pollutants and meteorological factors in Olak Lempit indicates local emissions as the primary contributor to increased nocturnal pollutants. This study highlights the distinct patterns of nocturnal air quality in different settings and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive nocturnal air pollution monitoring, reinforced using calibrated sensors, for effective environmental health management.