Air pollution detection is the core means of assessing air quality and formulating governance measures. Its core objective is to monitor the concentration of pollutants in real - time, issue early warnings for environmental risks, and provide scientific support for policy - making. The following is an analysis of the key technologies and applications of air pollution detection:

 

I. Types and Hazards of Pollutants

Air pollutants can be divided into two categories:

1. Gaseous pollutants: Including sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), etc., which mainly come from industrial emissions and fuel combustion.

2. Particulate matter: Such as total suspended particulate matter (TSP), inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), and fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), which can penetrate deep into the human respiratory tract and even the blood system, causing health problems.

 

II. Detection Methods and Equipment

Detection technologies are divided into the following two categories according to the types of pollutants:

1. Detection of gaseous pollutants

   - Spectroscopic analysis method: Technologies such as ultraviolet fluorescence method and infrared absorption method are used to quickly measure the gas concentration.

   - Sensor technology: Specific gases are monitored in real - time through chemical sensors (e.g., electrochemical method for CO detection).

   - Passive sampling method: Suitable for low - concentration areas, pollutants are collected by adsorption materials and then analyzed in the laboratory.

2. Detection of particulate matter

   - Filter membrane gravimetric method: Particulate matter is captured by a constant - weight filter membrane, and the concentration is calculated in combination with the sampling volume. It is commonly used for the determination of TSP and PM₁₀.

   - Optical scattering method: Real - time monitoring of PM₂.₅ is achieved by laser scattering or β - ray absorption method.

   - Electrostatic precipitation method: Aerosol particles are efficiently collected using charge separation technology.

 

III. Composition and Optimization of the Monitoring System

A modern monitoring system consists of four major modules:

1. Sampling device: Such as dust collection cylinders and impact samplers, used to capture pollutants in the air.

2. Analysis instruments: High - precision equipment including gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers, used to analyze the composition of pollutants.

3. Data transmission: Real - time transmission of monitoring data is realized with the help of the Internet of Things technology.

4. Data processing platform: Big data and cloud computing are integrated to generate the air quality index (AQI) and pollution trend reports.

Current technologies emphasize versatility and mobility. For example, portable detectors can be quickly deployed in pollution - hot areas to support emergency monitoring needs.

 

IV. Key Measures for Pollution Governance

1. Source control: Promote clean energy, improve combustion efficiency, and reduce industrial emissions.

2. End - of - pipe treatment: Adopt desulfurization and denitrification technologies and high - efficiency dust removal equipment (such as electrostatic precipitators) to intercept pollutants.

3. Policy support: Formulate emission - limit regulations based on monitoring data to promote the green transformation of enterprises.

 

V. Technological Development Trends

1. Intelligence: AI algorithms optimize the layout of monitoring networks and predict the diffusion path of pollution.

2. High sensitivity: The integration of nano - sensors and spectral technology will improve the detection accuracy.

3. Full - scale coverage: Satellite remote sensing and ground monitoring stations work together to build an "air - space - ground" integrated monitoring network.

 

VI. Social Value and Health Protection

Air pollution detection enhances public awareness of environmental protection through data disclosure and guides personal protection (such as wearing masks and reducing outdoor activities). Long - term monitoring data can also trace the sources of pollution, support cross - regional joint prevention and control, and improve the efficiency of environmental governance.

In the future, with the iteration of detection technologies and the improvement of policies, air pollution prevention and control will move towards precision and globalization, providing stronger protection for ecological security and public health.