South Coast AQMD’s Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-SPEC) has led the development, validation, and publication of a new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International standardized test method for evaluating PM2.5 sensors used for indoor use.

This method is one of the most comprehensive evaluation protocols developed for PM2.5 sensors. Under a U.S. Department of Energy grant, the AQ-SPEC team developed the test standard and conducted data processing and analysis to evaluate how these commercially available indoor sensors can:

• Measure a variety of air pollutants,

• Repower after power loss, and

• Perform under various temperature and humidity conditions.

This test standard was officially published in September 2021 as ASTM Method D8405-21 “Standard Test Method for Evaluating PM2.5 Sensors or Sensor Systems Used in Indoor Air Applications.” AQ SPEC developed a similar test method for indoor CO2 sensors which is currently undergoing ASTM’s review.

For more information on the ASTM test standards efforts at South Coast AQMD for indoor air quality sensors, visit the AQ-SPEC web page at http://www.aqmd.gov/aq-spec/evaluations/astm-test-standards.