Tag: LCS

Online Workshop on the Utilization of Low Cost Sensors (LCS) for Air Quality Monitoring: Recommendations and Strategies – Join us on November 6th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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1. Background

Air quality administrations usually use conventional reference monitors. However, low- and middle-income countries cannot fully use these in their air quality monitoring networks due to the limitation of resources. Less expensive and smaller monitoring devices, so-called Low-Cost Sensors (LCS), are capable of filling the gaps in existing air quality monitoring networks, and the data measured by LCS may provide information for policy-relevant air quality measures.

In most areas in the Asian region, air quality monitoring capacities of the national and local governments are still limited and need to be developed to improve their air quality to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Considering emerging sub-regional-scale and serious seasonal air pollution events, such as Ozone and PM2.5 pollution, building a network of reliable and internationally comparable air quality data becomes more important. Thus, practitioners must consider how they can wisely select and use reliable LCS with a network of reference-level monitors in an integrated manner for enhanced air quality monitoring.

The EANET has been supporting the development of air quality monitoring networks in the East Asia region in partnership with its 13 Participating Countries’ governments and scientists, assisting them to develop local capacity of scientific and internationally comparable air quality monitoring. The EANET has expanded its scope to wider air pollution issues in 2021, and the wise use of reliable LCS is one of the EANET’s interests aiming at developing its monitoring capacities. The EANET project titled “Methodology Study for Development of LCS Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN)” has been implemented since 2022, with the support of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, and the EANET Project Fund.

Besides the above-mentioned EANET project, there are other projects implementing air quality monitoring using LCS networks of urban and regional scales in East Asia. These networks are collecting the data via the Internet and some projects demonstrate real-time data. These preceded projects show how LCS technology and citizen participation can contribute to monitoring and improving air quality. They also show how data transparency and open access are important to increase public awareness of air pollution issues.

The Online Workshop on the Utilization of Low-Cost Sensors for Air Quality Monitoring: Recommendations and Strategies will take place on Wednesday 6 November 2024, from 13:00 to 16:45 (UTC+7), via Zoom. The event is organized by the Asian Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), serving as the Network Center for the EANET.

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2. Objectives
  • To share information on technical requirements, data management, and visualization, citizen participation, policy involvement, and business models by preceded projects on LCS monitoring networks in the Asian region
  • To discuss scopes and challenges for establishing a sustainable LCS monitoring network in East Asia and for sharing LCS data and scientific findings to strengthen efforts to improve the regional air quality in East Asia.
  • To consider recommendations on future directions of LCS monitoring in EANET

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3. Expected Participants

Policymakers, practitioners, and technical officers of local/national governments related to air pollution issues in the Participating Countries of EANET and other countries in Asia.

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4. Concept Note, Agenda and Speakers

Download the Concept Note and Programme.

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET

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EANET Online Workshop on the Utilization of Low-Cost Sensors for Air Quality Monitoring: Recommendations and Strategies

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

15 November 2024 – Niigata, Japan

The EANET Online Workshop on the Utilization of Low-Cost Sensors for Air Quality Monitoring: Recommendations and Strategies took place on 6 November 2024. Organized by the Network Center for the EANET, it gathered 152 participants, from the EANET Participating Countries and beyond, to discuss the utilization of Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) in Asia.

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Opening Remarks

Dr. Fan Meng, Deputy Director General, the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, ACAP (the Network Center for the EANET), delivered Opening Remarks. He highlighted the significance of the hybrid method which consists of using both conventional air quality sensors and LCS in addressing monitoring resource constraints. However, he emphasized that accuracy and reliability issues persist, requiring calibration, validation, and quality control to integrate LCS data effectively. He underlinied the workshop’s objectives to share LCS application insights, technical knowledge, data visualization, and discuss sustainable network opportunities within the EANET region.

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Air quality monitoring by using a LCS network in the Asian region

Dr. Tomoki Nakayama, from Nagasaki University, shared a presentation on air pollution monitoring using Low-Cost Sensors, focusing on projects in India, and in the ASEAN and African regions. In collaboration with Nagoya University and others, his team measures pollutants such as PM2.5 and CO. These sensors, co-developed with Panasonic Corp., detect particles via light scattering and are effective even under diverse environmental conditions.

Dr. Justin Sentian, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, presented the deployment of LCS air quality sensors in schools, an initiative funded by UNICEF, in partnership with Malaysia’s Environmental Protection Department. These sensors, part of the Air Quality Monitoring in Schools (AQUAMS) program, aim to monitor air quality and promote environmental awareness among students. In the first phase, sensors were installed in five schools, and data on pollutants and weather conditions have been gathered.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Hoai, Vietnam National University presented the “Building Equality Monitoring Capacity in Southeast Asia” project which aims to enhance air quality monitoring in Thailand, Laos, and Viet Nam. Key goals include deploying low-cost PM2.5 sensors, raising public awareness, providing real-time data, and identifying pollution hotspots. Nearly 100 sensors have been installed across the region, supporting data analysis and empowering local authorities and communities.

Dr. Maria Obiminda Cambaliza, Ateneo de Manila University, presented IGAC-MANGO, a research initiative addressing air pollution in Southeast Asia. The project uses Low-Cost Sensors to measure PM2.5 exposure and its health impacts, particularly in high-risk groups. She also highlighted the Health Investigation and Air Sensing for Asian Pollution (Hi-ASAP) project, which started in 2019, aiming to gather data on pollution levels and health effects.

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Report on the EANET project “Methodology Study for Development of LCS Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN)”

Dr. Akie Yuba, a Senior Researcher from ACAP, provided a report on LCS technical studies in Viet Nam and Myanmar, which were carried out as part of EANET Project Activities. In Hoa Binh, Viet Nam, five LCS units were installed, with a specific focus on PM2.5 and other parameters. In Yangon, Myanmar, LCS units, specifically GBiot and Haz Scanner, were utilized for monitoring PM2.5, O3, NO2, and meteorological data during both monsoon and non-monsoon seasons. A good correlation was observed in the data, though different values were displayed in the slopes, emphasizing the need for blackout preparedness to prevent electricity voltage fluctuations. Dr. Yuba also explained the draft contents of the guidelines for establishing HAQMN and the manual for low-cost sensor system operation.

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Discussions on scopes and challenges for establishing a sustainable LCS monitoring network in East Asia

The panel discussion covered the various challenges and approaches to air quality management across different countries, highlighting the role of LCS in both developed and developing countries. Key questions explored during the discussion included: what are the key local air quality issues in your country? How will citizens and communities be kept informed about air quality data? Is there adequate infrastructure, such as internet and power supply, to support an LCS network?, and How do governments and local authorities intend to use data from this network for policymaking? Additionally, What funding and support will be required to ensure the sustainability of the LCS network?

The panel discussion highlighted several common challenges in air quality management. These included infrastructure and connectivity issues, particularly in developing countries where limited access to power and the internet can undermine the reliability of LCS networks. Funding and sustainability were also major concerns, as many countries depend on international financial support and technical assistance for LCS implementation. Additionally, the importance of public awareness and communication was emphasized, with some countries planning to automate alerts about high pollution levels through platforms like social media. Lastly, the panel underscored the need for regular calibration and maintenance of LCS networks to ensure data accuracy, especially in resource-constrained settings.

The panel concluded that while LCS offers affordable and scalable options for air quality monitoring, its effectiveness depends on sustained funding, accurate data calibration, and enhanced public awareness. Building regional and international collaborations remains essential for addressing air pollution in the Southeast and East Asian regions.

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Find out more on EANET Project Fund and EANET Projects.

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Useful Resources:

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Photo credits: rice field at daytime by Hikarinoshita Hikari (2019).

Expanding Air Quality Monitoring with Low Cost Sensors: What Policymakers and Practitioners Need to Know

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

6 March 2026

The UN Environment Programme’s Global Environment Outlook 7 (GEO‑7) warns that “globally, six out of the top ten countries with the worst air pollution levels are from Asia and the Pacific, leading to respiratory diseases, poor health and lower agricultural productivity”. Against this global backdrop, EANET’s two new publications offer region‑specific guidance to help countries deploy Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Networks (HAQMN) that combine reference‑grade monitors with Low‑Cost Sensors (LCS).

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Guidelines for Establishing a Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network – Strategic direction for policymakers and planners

While reference-grade monitors have been traditionally used for air quality monitoring, based on their reliability and high accuracy, they also require a high investment and strong technical operation knowledge. Sensors refered to as ‘Low-Cost Sensors’ (LCS), on the other hand, have appeared in the recent years with improved technology related to the size and energy efficiency, lower cost and easier deployment, in particular in zones with limited infrastructures. However, LCS lack the same measurement precision and require maintenance and data analysis. The complementary use of LCSs and reference-grade monitors is referred to as Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors (HAQMN), as described in these EANET Guidelines.

The Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors Guidelines provide governments with a strategic framework for integrating LCS into existing reference‑grade networks. They emphasize that LCS should supplement, not replace,  reference-grade monitors, ensuring expanded coverage without compromising accuracy. They also lay out critical principles such as robust Quality Assurance and Quality Control practices, contextualized network planning, and clear differentiation from the EANET’s traditional monitoring practices and guidelines.

Aimed at senior government officials, these Guidelines describe institutional responsibilities, site selection criteria, and governance considerations. They serve as supporting documents to the EANET’s existing technical manuals, helping countries in the region and beyond expand monitoring capacity methodically and consistently.

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Technical Manual for Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low‑Cost Sensors – Operational guidance for technicians and practitioners

The Technical Manual provides detailed, operational instructions for implementing and maintaining LCS within hybrid networks. It includes step‑by‑step procedures for LCS assembly, installation, calibration, site preparation, communication systems, maintenance, and safety.

The document also incorporates expanded Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures—such as data screening, bias correction, and performance evaluation—reflecting technical revisions made after expert review. It is designed for technicians, field operators, and analysts responsible for ensuring high‑quality, reliable data.

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How the Two Reports Work Together

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A Regional Response to a Global Environmental Warning

Together, EANET’s Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Guidelines and Technical Manual form a comprehensive, region‑tailored toolkit that intend to help countries modernize their monitoring systems, strengthen data quality, and better protect public health.

Adopted by the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting on the EANET in November 2025, both publications reflect the increased interest to intergrate the use of new technologies for air quality monitoring in the EANET countries, in line with the EANET’s recently launched Medium-Term Plan (2026-2030).

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Read the Guidelines for Establishing Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) in the EANET region

Read the Technical Manual for Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring with Low-Cost Sensors: Implementation Guidelines in EANET

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Photo credits: Ho Chi Minh by Andrei Miranchuk (2019).

EANET Training on Air Quality Monitoring Systems Using Low-Cost Sensors

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

19 October 2023 – Bangkok, Thailand

The EANET Training on Air Quality Monitoring Systems Using Low­-Cost Sensors took place on 6 and 7 September 2023, in Hanoi, Viet Nam, and online. The event was jointly organized by the ADB, the Network Center for the EANET, and the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Climate Change (IMHEN) and gathered 100 participants, online and in person, from the EANET Participating Countries and beyond, to learn about LCS equipment operation, quality assurance, data accuracy, early problem detection, and effective use of monitoring data.

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Opening Session

Ms. Karma Yangzom, Principal Environment Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), delivered Opening Remarks expressing gratitude for joining the Vietnam project with IMHEN. She highlighted the significance of the hybrid method in addressing monitoring resource constraints, emphasizing the need for meticulous use of LCS to ensure sensor functionality and data verification, emphasizing the importance of high-quality, verified data, and underlining the workshop’s objective to research proper LCS utilization while expressing appreciation to EANET for hosting the workshop with hopes of providing valuable information to participants.

Dr. Le Ngoc Cau, the Director of the Center of Environmental Research at the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Climate Change (IMHEN), expressed gratitude to the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research, ACAP (the Network Center for the EANET) and ADB for their support in the project to establish an air quality system, highlighting the costliness of such systems in urban areas and the potential of LCS as a more affordable alternative if data accuracy can be ensured. The LCS has been installed in two provinces in Vietnam as part of the project, providing participants with a deeper understanding of its capabilities, and he thanked all the participants and EANET for organizing the workshop.

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Introduction to the use of Low-Cost Sensors in Vietnam and in other Asian Countries

Dr. Le Ngoc Cau delivered a presentation on IMHEN’s role, its air quality monitoring system, air quality modeling, and EANET activities in Vietnam. He highlighted the installation of a PM2.5 monitor in Hoa Binh station in 2015 and the collaborative installation of LCS at the same station with the Network Center. Dr. Cau emphasized the importance of verifying LCS data for reliability and the need to figure out how to integrate LCS and conventional monitoring data. They expressed interest in further collaboration with international organizations.

Ms. Karma Yangzom shared experiences from Asian countries regarding the use of Air Quality sensors in ADB projects aimed at enhancing awareness and efforts to improve air quality. She highlighted the stability of AQ Mesh sensors, which only require sensor replacements every two years, and emphasized the use of LCS to present air quality information to the public. She highlighted the importance of ensuring the reliability of the data generated from the LCS.

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EANET Projects on LCS Technical studies

Dr. Akie Yuba, a Senior Researcher from ACAP, provided a report on LCS technical studies in Vietnam and Myanmar, which were carried out as part of EANET Project Activities. In Hoa Binh, Vietnam, five LCS units were installed, with a specific focus on PM2.5 and other parameters. In Yangon, Myanmar, LCS units, specifically GBiot and Haz Scanner, were utilized for monitoring PM2.5, O3, NO2, and meteorological data during both monsoon and non-monsoon seasons. A good correlation was observed in the data, though different values were displayed in the slopes, emphasizing the need for blackout preparedness to prevent electricity voltage fluctuations.

Dr. Hiroaki Minoura, a Guest Researcher at ACAP demonstrated, along with Dr. Yuba, how to install an LCS, how to initiate it, to connect it to a data server, and how to retrieve LCS data when there are data communication issues.

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Dr. Kazuhiro Misaka, Director of Green Blue Corporation, a private company specializing in the inspection, and maintenance of environmental monitoring and measurement equipment, delivered a presentation on data screening and analysis obtained with LCS and the Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN), accompanied by Dr. Akie Yuba and Dr. Hiroaki Minoura. Dr. Misaka explained the process of screening raw LCS data and removing noise signals. Dr. Yuba discussed the screening and validation of hourly LCS data, while Dr. Minoura covered topics related to data interpretation, visualization, and trend analysis.

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Challenges and Ways Forward

In the last session, Dr. Alison Simcox from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) was invited to share insights on LCS experiences. She clarified that LCS data was not deemed an official guideline, and further studies on its functionality were being considered. Two key questions were introduced: the challenges encountered by LCS and Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Networks (HAQMN) in Asian countries and potential collaborations for promoting LCS in these regions. Commenting on the wrap-up for the way forward, challenges related to technology and policy in utilizing LCS were emphasized, with a focus on the need for capacity building to address issues such as calibration and data interpretation. Dr. Alison stressed the importance of understanding the purpose of LCS usage, whether it was identifying wildfires, creating smoke maps, or monitoring global changes in PM2.5.

Mr. Kenichiro Fukunaga, Deputy Director General of ACAP, delivered the Closing Remarks and conveyed his gratitude to various organizations and participants for their contributions to the workshop and to the EANET Low-cost sensor project. He expressed expectations for the expansion and enhancement of LCS activities in monitoring, research, and capacity building.

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Useful Resources:

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  • View the workshop’s photos on Flickr.

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Find out more about EANET’s Project Fund and Project Activities.

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Photo credits: cover photo of Vietnam (2021) by Hoach Le Dinh; all other photos: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Regional Awareness Workshop in 2023: A focus on Volatile Organic Compounds and Low-Cost Sensors

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

13 June 2023 – Bangkok, Thailand

The EANET Regional Awareness Workshop in 2023 focused on the growing concerns surrounding Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and the use of Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) for air quality monitoring in Northeast and Southeast Asia. Held on 30 May 2023 at the United Nations Convention Center and online, it aimed to foster collaboration on air quality management, address global challenges related to VOC pollution, and discuss the potential of LCS technology. The Workshop was held as part of the Climate and Clean Air Conference: Air Quality Action Week, organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), and in cooperation with the Asian Institute of Technology, Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP). 129 participants from 15 countries joined the Workshop.

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Enhancing Air Quality Monitoring and Collaboration in East and Southeast Asia

Ms. Marlene Nilsson, Deputy Regional Director of UNEP Asia Pacific office, opened the EANET Awareness Workshop by delivering remarks highlighting the importance of alliances such as EANET to build regional solutions through data sharing and collaboration.

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Volatile Organic Compounds Pollution Challenges and Air Quality Regulations in Asia

The first Session focused on the importance and challenges of VOC measurement in East and Southeast Asia. Presenters and panelists included Prof. Meng Fan, DDG for EANET, Asia Center for Air Pollution (ACAP), Dr. Meihua Zhu, Senior Researcher, Asia Center for Air Pollution (ACAP), Prof. Hong Li, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES), China, Dr. Kessinee Unapumnak, Pollution Control Department (PCD), Thailand and Mr. Jundy T. Del Socorro, Environment Management Bureau (EMB), The Philippines.

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View the recording of Dr. Kessinee Unapumnak’s presentation on Thailand’s Air Quality Management Framework

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VOCs have emerged as a significant pollutant in Asia, posing challenges due to rising levels and diverse emission sources and chemical compositions. While Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand have ambient VOC standards, other countries do not have such standards or guidelines. This is why the project Promoting VOCs related Capacity Building in the EANET, supported by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) has been developed and launched in 2023, through the EANET Project Fund. Planned to last three years, the project is the fruit of cooperation between the MOEJ, the Network Center for the EANET, and different government and research institutes from China, Japan, Mongolia, and the Philippines, also including experts from the Republic of Korea and Thailand.

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Low-Cost Sensor Technology for Air Quality Monitoring: Integration Efforts and Need for Reliability

The second Session focused on Low-Cost Sensors’ (LCS) Role in Air Quality Management in East and Southeast Asia. Presenters and panelists included Dr. Akie Yuba, Researcher, Asia Center for Air Pollution (ACAP), Prof. Kim Oanh, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Dr. Le Ngoc Cau, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change (IMHEN), Viet Nam, Ms. Dang Espita-Casanova, Clean Air Asia, and Ms. Karine Léger, Airparif, France.

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View the recording of Ms. Dang Espita-Casanova’s presentation on Hybrid air quality monitoring: Achieving air quality goals in Philippine Cities

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Discussions highlighted the potential and limitations of Low-cost sensor (LCS) technology. LCS is a portable and relatively cheaper monitoring system used for air quality monitoring, but challenges remain regarding data accuracy, calibration, and maintenance. LCS data can be valuable for non-regulatory monitoring applications and are powerful awareness-raising tools for citizen science. Efforts are being made to integrate LCS with reference-level sensors through projects like the EANET’s Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) in Asia, in Viet Nam specifically, and guidelines are being developed to replicate this integration in other countries. LCS deployments have been conducted in the Philippines to fill coverage gaps, requiring local calibration and integration with conventional sensors. LCS are seen as complementary to traditional sensors, providing better coverage and valuable data for policymakers. Standardization, calibration, and integration need further attention to ensure the reliability of LCS for various purposes.

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Key Recommendations

The workshop panelists discussed several key recommendations. Firstly, they suggested conducting research to establish VOC Air Quality Guideline Values and Standards by monitoring, reporting, and analyzing emission sources. Secondly, they emphasized the need to strengthen research on VOCs’ impact on air quality and human health. Additionally, they proposed developing guidelines, standards, and policies for the use of LCS (low-cost sensors) and promoting research on calibration, correction factors, and quality assurance to ensure reliable LCS data. They also recommended creating guidelines for integrating LCS with existing monitoring networks to ensure data reliability. Lastly, they highlighted the importance of establishing regional and international platforms for sharing knowledge and best practices related to LCS.

Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, DG, Asia Center for Air Pollution (ACAP) delivered the Closing Remarks and emphasized the importance of VOC monitoring, VOCs being the precursors of ozone and particulate matter. He highlighted the importance to expand the EANET’s monitoring network to include VOCs and mentioned LCS could be considered for this expansion if their reliability can be strengthened.

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Useful Resources
  • Read a more detailed summary of the Workshop’s content in the EANET Awareness Workshop in 2023 Event Report.
  • View all Workshop’s recordings on the Secretariat for the EANET’s YouTube channel and the Workshop’s photos on Flickr.
  • Download the speakers’ presentations:

Two Decades of EANET: From Data to Policy by Prof. Meng Fan, ACAP

Understanding VOCs Impact in East Asia: Building Tools and Capacity for Better Air Quality Management by Dr. Meihua Zhu, ACAP

Management and Control of Anthropogenic VOCs in China by Prof. Hong Li, CRAES, China

Thailand’s Air Quality Management Framework by Dr. Kessinee Unapumnak, PCD, Thailand.

Air Quality Management in the Philippines, Mr. Jundy Del Socorro, EMB, the Philippines.

Introduction to Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) by Dr. Akie Yuba, ACAP

Air Quality Management in Viet Nam by Dr. Le Ngoc Cau, MONRE, Viet Nam

Hybrid air quality monitoring: Achieving air quality goals in Philippine Cities by Ms. Dang Espita-Casanova, Clean Air Asia.

Air Pollution Monitoring and LCS in France by Ms. Karine Léger, Airparif, France.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Seminar on Expanding Monitoring Systems using LCS

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

23 August 2022 – Niigata, Japan

The Network Center for the EANET organized the Seminar on Expanding Monitoring Systems using Low-Cost Sensor (LCS) online on 21 July 2022. It gathered representatives, experts, and practitioners of air quality monitoring from the EANET Participating Countries, and other participants from international organizations, academia, and monitoring-related service providers. 127 participants joined the Seminar.

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Opening Session

The Seminar started with the Opening and Welcome Remarks by Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama, Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP) in charge of the NC for the EANET, and by Dr. Mushtaq Memon, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Remarks were followed by an Introductory Presentation by Mr. Taku Ohmura from the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, Japan (OECC) on the Overview of issues and opportunities of using LCS for air quality administrations and surveys.

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Understanding Challenges and Opportunities of LCS

Key presentations by Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana, a Senior Instructor of the Faculty of Public Health, at Thammasat University, Thailand, and by Dr. Alison Simcox from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), delved into the limitations and opportunities of Low-cost sensor technology (LCS) for measuring air quality in the contexts of Thailand and of the United States.

Dr. Keiichi SATO, Head of the Atmospheric Research Department at ACAP, in charge of the NC for the EANET, then introduced the results of a survey on a Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) and related technical studies in five EANET countries, namely Japan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

His presentation was followed by discussions and presentations by Ms. Karma Yangzom, a Principal Environment Specialist from the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), on ADB’s experience with LCS as part of the Technical Assistance (TA) 9608 on “Strengthening Knowledge and Actions for Air Quality Improvement”, and by Ms. Maria-Katharina Patdu’s presentation, an Associate Programme Officer, from the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP), at UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, on air quality data challenges and opportunities in developing Asia.

While the lack of precision of LCS and the variety of qualities and standards of sensors, may lead to data misinterpretation and presentation issues, keynote speakers and panelists mentioned that the cost-efficiency of LCS and the wide use of these air quality sensors by “citizen-scientists” educate the public and inspire behavioral changes. In addition, the effective utilization of regular monitoring data for the quality control of LCS, the importance of consistent city, regional, and country-level monitoring, and the continued cooperation with other networks and international organizations, were also key points presented to mitigate the limitations of LCS.

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Download the Workshop’s Presentations

–Issues of LCS and Efforts Against the Issues: Thailand’s Experiences (presented by Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana)

–US-EPA’s efforts on wise use of LCS (presented by Dr. Alison Simcox)

–Results of the survey on HAQMN and technical studies in some EANET Participating Countries (presented by Dr. Keiichi Sato)

–Experience in using Low-Cost Sensors under ADB TA 9608 (presented by Ms. Karma Yangzom)

–Air quality data challenges and opportunities in developing Asia (presented by Ms. Maria Katherina Patdu)

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For further inquiries, contact the Network Center for the EANET.

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Photo credits: All rights reserved to EANET.

EANET Regional Awareness Workshop in 2023: A focus on Volatile Organic Compounds and Low-Cost Sensors – Join us on May 30th!

Posted on by Aurélia Lemoine

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Registration is now closed, contact the EANET Secretariat for more info

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Background

Due to rapid economic growth and industrialization, many countries in East Asia are still facing serious threats from air pollution and acid deposition, in a more global context where almost the entire global population (99%) breathes air that exceeds the World Health Organization’s air quality limits, hindering populations’ right to a healthy environment.

The Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) was established in 2001 as a regional intergovernmental network to promote cooperation among countries in East Asia to address acid deposition problems. In 2021, at the Twenty-Second Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG22), the 13 Participating Countries of the EANET agreed to expand its scope to address wider air pollution problems and launched the EANET Project Fund to encourage cooperation with partners outside of its network.

In the last 20 years, the EANET has made excellent progress in acid deposition monitoring cooperation, including on particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. The Network has fostered a regional monitoring network and scientific exchange platforms that contribute to solving acid deposition and air pollution problems in East Asia.

In November 2022, the Twenty-fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IG24) approved the first batch of “EANET Project Plans” funded through the EANET Project Fund, with an Estimated Income for Project Activities in 2023 of US$489,700, including funding from EANET, additional financial support from Japan (MOEJ) from the Republic of Korea (NIER); and in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB); and in-kind support from Japan (JARI, NIES), Mongolia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam (IMHEN, MONRE) for the implementation of 8 projects, among which two projects focusing on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Low-Cost Sensors (LCS).

In this respect, and in line with the efforts to facilitate the sharing of a common understanding of air quality and acid deposition issues, the EANET Awareness Workshop in 2023 will be organized on Tuesday, 30 May 14:00-17:00 (ICT) at the United Nations Convention Center in Bangkok (UNCC Theatre), Thailand, and in a hybrid format, under the name “ EANET Regional Awareness Workshop in 2023: a focus on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Low Cost Sensors (LCS)”, as part of the Climate and Clean Air Conference: Air Quality Action Week, organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). The Workshop is held in cooperation with the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP).

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Objective and Participants

Objective: the EANET Awareness Workshop is expected to increase public understanding of air pollution and acid deposition issues through the lens of experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders from the EANET region and globally. The two sessions will focus on innovative and emerging topics, specifically on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) related opportunities, limitations, and good practices, and possibly generate future collaboration ideas.

Participants: the sessions will be attended online and/or in person by the EANET National Focal Points, Scientific Advisory Committee members, and other EANET members and partners, including policymakers, national researchers, and scientists mainly from the Network’s 13 Participating Countries. It will also welcome representatives of partner organizations working on related issues, as well as participants joining the Air Quality Action Week in Bangkok.

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Session description

Session 1: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a component of air pollution that includes a complex mixture of hundreds of carbon-containing gases. VOCs also include a wide variety of chemicals, some of which can cause short- and long-term adverse health effects. However, due to the unique characteristics of VOCs and the relatively high cost of measurement, VOC monitoring and its related activities in the EANET region are still at an early stage.

Session 1 will showcase issues and challenges on VOCs. Experts and stakeholders from the EANET Participating Countries will discuss how VOCs can be monitored and possibly mitigated. Two examples, funded by MOEJ through the EANET Project Fund and co-finance, of technical assistance to build implementation plans in Mongolia and the Philippines will be show-cased, considering how to replicate similar activities in the EANET region and beyond.

Session 2: The Low-cost sensor (LCS) technology to measure air quality has remarkably advanced in recent years and is now widely used by the private sector and provides information on the atmospheric environment to citizens through data communication networks. Noticing the cost-effectiveness of LCS, international organizations have started to promote the use of LCS in selected areas to strengthen the capacity of governments where official air monitoring networks are insufficient.

In Session 2, we will learn about the wide potential of Low-Cost Sensors (LCS), including the related limitations and opportunities. Panelists will discuss improving air quality monitoring networks, citizen-data, and the development of hybrid monitoring networks, such as through the HAQMN Project funded by MOEJ through the EANET Project Fund and co-finance, and finally data and quality standards’ requirements. A deployment plan in Viet Nam, in collaboration with the ADB and other partners, will be presented, allowing possible similar deployments in the region.

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Draft Programme (updated on 19 May 2023)

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Download the Concept Note and Draft Programme here (updated on 24 April).

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The Speakers (in order of appearance)

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Ms. Marlene Nilsson

Ms. Marlene Nilsson joined UNEP, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in April 2023 as the Deputy Regional Director. Marlene is an experienced staff member with a career spanning over 20 years supporting United Nations leadership. Since 2019, she held the position of Senior Programme Management Officer/Special Assistant in the Office of the UNEP Executive Director. During her 11 years at UNEP, she also gained substantial programmatic and management experience, having worked in the Executive Office, Ecosystems Division and Policy and Programme Division. Prior to joining UNEP, Marlene spent 13 years with United Nations Peacekeeping, working on crisis management, peace negotiations, and political affairs both in the field (Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan) and at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Marlene holds a master’s degree in Political Science.

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Mr. Bert Fabian

Mr. Bert Fabian is the Coordinator of the Secretariat for the EANET. He has been with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a Programme Officer since 2013 as lead for the Sustainable Mobility Unit’s activities in Asia and the Pacific. He has supported more than 15 countries in developing policies on transport, air pollution, and climate change and managed projects worth about 13.5 million USD including about 5.6 million USD allocated for Asia and the Pacific. Mr. Fabian coordinated the activities of UNEP with the Global Fuel Economy Initiative and managed the Electric 2&3 Wheelers project in East Africa and Southeast Asia. He also managed projects on strengthening the air quality management community of practice in Asia and the Pacific and on understanding the relationships between COVID-19 and air quality impacts, policies, and measures in cities.

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Prof. Meng Fan

Prof. Meng Fan is the Deputy Director General in charge of the Network Center for EANET, Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP). Prior to this position, he has been Deputy Chief Engineer, Director of the Institute of Atmospheric Environment, and Director of the Research Department for the 2+26 Cities in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei of the Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES). He has been conducting research in the field of air quality modeling, atmospheric chemistry, air pollution control policy, and synergistic control of air pollution and climate change. Dr. Meng Fan has been published as the author and co-author of over 80 papers in highly regarded, peer-reviewed journals and is also an adjunct professor and doctoral supervisor at Beijing Normal University and Tongji University of China.

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Dr. Zhu Meihua

Dr. Meihua Zhu serves as a Chief Senior Researcher in the Planning and Training Department & Atmospheric Research Department for Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP). Her research interests include regional environmental cooperation, air pollution regulations, and policies. Besides research, she also plays a vital role in achieving the goals of EANET and ACAP in improving air quality and addressing air pollution problems through international collaboration, capacity building, and training.

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Prof. Hong Li

Prof. Hong Li is a professor at the Institute of Atmospheric Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES), China. She is a Member of the First Standing Committee of the two Professional Committees (Ozone Pollution Control, VOCs Prevention and Control) of the Chinese Society of Environmental Sciences and a member of the China Compliance Expert Group for the Montreal Protocol. She received her PhD from the China University of Geosciences (Beijing) in 1998. Her research fields include complex pollution formation mechanisms and synergistic control mechanisms of PM2.5 and ground-level ozone, VOCs Environmental Benchmarks, and source analysis and control strategies of ozone-depleting substances. Currently, she is leading a city-level PM2.5 and ozone synergistic control “one city, one policy” follow-up research project, and also is an Editorial Board Member of three international journals.

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Dr. Kessinee Unapumnuk

Dr. Kessinee Unapumnuk is currently an Environmentalist, Senior Professional Level, at the Air Quality and Noise Management department of the Pollution Control Department (PCD). She has been involved in Thailand’s Volatile Organic Compounds Management since 2007 and has been responsible for supervising the PCD’s VOCs monitoring network group and giving technical consultation for VOCs-related issues to PCD staff and others. Among other important projects, Dr. Unapumnak was previously the coordinator for the Thai-Japan Clean Air Partnership on Particulate Matter Reduction Strategy and Measures Development Project, a technical cooperation project between the Ministry of Environment, Japan, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand.

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Engr. Jundy T. Del Socorro

Engr. Jundy Tigley Del Socorro is the Chief of the Air Quality Management Section (AQMS) and a Supervising Environmental Management Specialist at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB). He is also a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) member for the Philippines at the EANET. Over the years, he has participated in projects in the fields of Stack and Ambient Sampling Methods, Emission Inventory, Meteorology, Air Quality Dispersion Modeling, among others. He has authored and co-authored air quality studies in the fields of Industrial Mass Rate Emission, Impacts on Planetary Boundary Layer to Air Quality and other ongoing air quality research. He received his master’s degree in environmental engineering and Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering at Mapua University, Philippines. Engr. Del Socorro is a registered Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reviewer in the Philippines and has been a member of different Intergovernmental Technical Working Groups (TWG) in the formulation of key environmental policies in the Philippines.

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Dr. Akie Yuba

Dr. Akie Yuba is a Senior Researcher at Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP). She is working on the Hybrid Air Quality Monitoring Network (HAQMN) project to expand the air quality monitoring network in Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET).  She is also responsible for the monitoring and QA/QC management of the wet and dry deposition in Japan. She has 8 years of experience working on air quality issues in East Asia.

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Professor Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh

Professor Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, from the Asia Institute of Technology (AIT), is a member of the science panel of the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP). She has 35 years of working experience in research, education, consultancy, and capacity building and is internationally recognized for her work on air pollution and climate in Asia. Aiming to provide comprehensive science-based information to policy-making, she focuses on the better characterization of air pollution issues in Asian developing countries through field measurements, emission inventory and modeling studies to assess the impacts on human health, ecosystems, and crops. She has published 2 books (ed.), 120 international peer-reviewed scientific papers and 50 book chapters, and over 60 important development reports.

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Dr. Le Ngoc Cau

Dr. Le Ngoc Cau is currently Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change (IMHEN). IMHEN is a public research institution affiliated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of Vietnam. Dr. Cau is also Vietnam’s National Focal Point for the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET). Dr. Cau’s core research interests include real-time mobile air quality monitoring, air quality management, waste management, low-carbon technologies for waste treatment, and climate change mitigation in the waste sector. Dr. Le Ngoc Cau graduated from Hanoi University of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in chemical and food processing engineering. He earned a master’s degree in environmental technology and management from the Asian Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. degree in environmental studies from The University of Tokyo, Japan.

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Ms. Dang Espita-Casanova

Ms. Dang Espita-Casanova oversees program development and strategic planning for Clean Air Asia’s impact initiatives on transport, energy, and urban air quality. She worked with government, private, and non-profit organizations in the early years of her professional career, with training and experience on environmental pollution chemistry and environmental management for more than 10 years. At Clean Air Asia, she leads projects focusing on capacity building of governments for air quality management and climate change mitigation through policy guidance and direct technical assistance on the development and implementation of clean air and climate action plans. Dang currently leads a team of specialists and researchers in operationalizing Clean Air Asia’s impact initiatives on sustainable transport, energy, and cities.

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Ms. Karine Léger

Ms. Karine Léger is the director of Airparif, the air quality monitoring network of the Paris Region, France. Karine has both a technical and management background, linked with environmental issues (Executive master in management at Science Po, Advanced Msc. in environmental management and engineering at Ecole des Mines, Eng. in agriculture at ISARA, BSc in Biology). Karine has 20 years of expertise in air pollution, related to communication, partnerships, innovation, and international projects. She first started to work at Airparif as an engineer, and then as the head of the communication and international department. Karine was then in charge of the partnerships and innovation before taking the lead of Airparif in 2018, also in charge of forecasting and assisting the authorities during air pollution episodes. Karine takes part in regional, national, and European working groups on air quality, public information, and communication strategy, develops and contributes to the management and development of different international projects mainly with Airparif’s counterparts abroad, such as the Beijing environmental monitoring center, the AQCC of Teheran, and the municipality of Hanoi.

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Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama

Dr. Shiro Hatakeyama received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tokyo in 1976 and 1979, respectively, and is currently serving as the Director General of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research (ACAP), Japan. Before being assigned to ACAP, Dr. Shiro HATAKEYAMA worked for the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, as President from 2016 to 2019; Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, as a Professor from 2007 to 2016, and now Professor Emeritus since 2016; National Institute of Environmental Science, as Scientist from 1979 to 2007. He also worked for NRC/NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA, as a Senior Resident Research Associate from 1985 to 1986. Over more than 40 years of his research career in atmospheric environmental science, he has made many achievements in the field of atmospheric environmental research, including publishing 217 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and 34 books (including co-authored books).

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For further inquiries, contact the EANET Secretariat.