How to measure the level of air pollution in the street?

Question

Arduino

Everyone loves the time of day!
Before going for a walk with a child, we want to know how bad the air outside is. Hang a sensor (24\7) outside the window and observe the indicators.
I plan to collect everything on arduino
Is one CO2 sensor (accurate to 2000ppm? or more?) Enough to understand that the air outside is not suitable for walking? For example, in the evening or during calm / smog, the air is quite heavy. And sometimes it seems like there is a breeze, but it’s difficult to breathe, and you only understand it when you go outside and walk for about 10 minutes. Or is it not only the presence of CO2 in the air outside that determines air quality? What other sensors should be added to complete the picture? Or rather, to ask - what indicators in the air should be monitored (basically) in order to conclude that the air is suitable for walking?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this matter

Answer 1

As for measuring CO2 on the street - a stupid idea ....
Even in the center of a metropolis on a busy street, the value is unlikely to exceed the threshold of 700 ppm (unless you live somewhere in large cities in China or there - India), which is quite good for indoors, meanwhile, completely different indicators will have a greater impact on health.
Well, you need to understand that even if there is a high level of CO2 on the street, it is unlikely that you will have less in your apartment, unless of course you have previously stocked up on oxygen cylinders.
CO2 is measured indoors, where it can accumulate, and not outdoors, where its value will tend to 400ppm ...
You need to measure CO (sensor type MQ-7), the content of particulate matter in the air (sensor type GP2Y1014AU0F), or air quality - CO NO2 NH3 (sensor type MICS-6814) and others ...

Answer 2

There is little meaning.
Firstly, you need to measure where you walk, the device will need to be dragged with you. Secondly, a sudden outburst in our country is still from the category of rarities, unless you live near a large landfill or in an industrial zone, the level of pollution will be approximately the same and you will not see a noticeable difference, but if you purposefully catch the minimums and adjust the walks to the readings ... this more likely to undermine mental health than improve physical health.

Answer 3

I am currently working on a similar project. In addition to CO2, VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) can be monitored.
Here is the sensor I have. And there is also humidity, temperature, pressure, smoke sensors (react to transparency? I haven’t looked yet).

Answer 4

breathe.moscow and luftdaten.info offer clear assembly instructions for the pm10 and pm2.5 fine dust sensor