Air, being an invisible and dynamic medium, it is difficult to know if the air quality of a region is as per the air quality standards. It is imperative to monitor the air quality frequently to assess the pollution level in accordance with the National Air Quality Standards set under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Air monitoring is done to measure the pollution level of an area – indoors or outdoors. The results of which indicate the status of the quality of the air we breathe.

That’s why the term ‘ambient air quality monitoring’ was coined. An Air Monitoring System detects and measures the pollution in the surrounding. It represents the pollution data as concentrations of different pollutants – whether it is dust particles or gases.

Ambient air monitoring system helps in evaluating and understanding pollution status and trends. It also helps to know whether pollution control strategies in place are working or not. Pollution monitoring also helps in determining the air purification method required, for instance, dry deposition, dilution, precipitation, chemical treatment, etc.

However, you might have come across two different terms in this aspect – Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (AAQMS) and Continuous Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS). Though both may sound the same, there’s a differences between these monitoring systems, depending upon the data usage, equipment cost, operating cost, system reliability, and ease of operation.