Davis Instruments, a company renowned for their durable, precise and accurate weather stations and environmental monitoring equipment, has recently launched a new, featureful and versatile AirLink Air Quality Sensor. 

Your Instrument Choice team has just completed a comprehensive review, and the news is they're very impressed – the Davis Instruments AirLink Air Quality Sensor is great! The AirLink Air Quality Sensor meets Davis Instruments' ethos and high standards.

Get your complete review of the Davis AirLink Air Quality Sensor here.

The Davis AirLink Air Quality Sensor Contributes to Better Air Quality

Even though you can't see it, air quality impacts our everyday lives. The tool used by government agencies to communicate the public health risk of polluted air - in real-time and in forecasts – is an Air Quality Index (AQI). The accuracy, reliability and data sharing qualities of each Davis Instruments AirLink Air Quality Sensor can contribute to the mapping of site-specific air quality data. Mapped data can be viewed by Weatherlink users worldwide.(We explain more in the product review below, but first some clarity around what makes an air quality index).

What is an Air Quality Index?

While air quality indices vary from country to country, the methodology used to determine an AQI always involves monitoring a selected group of air pollutants over time. Public health risks increase as the AQI rises. Data for an AQI can be automated - i.e., continuous measuring and reporting, or manual - i.e., systematically adjusted and averaged with new data inputted at predetermined intervals.

Air Quality Index reports typically include the following information:

1. A colour code – each colour corresponding to an AQI level of risk.
2. Measurements for a specified period. Reports typically comprise:
   • Measurements of each air pollutant within the basket of pollutants, from specific locations and regions; and
   • The highest AQI recorded during the period.
3. Public health advice(s). 

See Table 1 (below) for an example of air quality concentration data published by the NSW government for the date of writing this article; Monday 11^th January 2021 between 9 – 10 am.

Table 1 Example of an AQI - NSW health with the total pollutant levels for the recorded time, colour coded air quality, and public health advisory.

About Particulate Matter (PM) 

Particulate Matter is one air pollutant affecting public health measured in a typical AQI. It refers to the microscopic particles of a solid or liquid suspended in the air. You will often find Particulate Matter abbreviated as 'PM' and the Particulate Matter size as 'PM₁₀' and 'PM_2.5.'. Both the concentration of particles and particle size affect health outcomes.

The most common Particulate Matter that air quality meters measure is PM_2.5. High levels of PM_2.5 are known to cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as cancers. Sources of Particulate Matter include smoke from fires and wood heaters, car and truck exhaust, and airborne industry pollutants.

In Australia, the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (2016) has published maximum concentration standards for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5. See Table 2 (below) for Particulate Matter standards.

National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (2016) Standards for Particulate Matter

Table 2 National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure Standards

Introducing the Davis Instruments AirLink Air Quality Sensor 

Davis Instruments is a leader in precise, robust weather stations and environmental monitoring equipment. The all-new Davis Airlink Air Quality Sensor is no exception!

Backed by Davis's reputation for durability and quality, the AirLink Air Quality Sensor accurately measures Particulate Matter PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM_10, and is suitable for use both in and outdoors.

Collected measurements are sent directly to the WeatherLink Cloud via WiFi, where you can view easy-to-understand graphs and colour-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) readings.

The WeatherLink app provides you with the following air quality data at your fingertips:

1. Air Quality Index
   1. Current AQI: View the current Air Quality Index along with a description of conditions.
   2. NowCast AQI: NowCast shows the current air quality using the AQI colours and scales. NowCast is calculated using the data for the current hour plus multiple hours of past data and is the EPA's standard for reflecting fast-changing air quality.
   3. High AQI: High AQI displays the highest air quality readings (in detail), including the levels recorded and when they occurred.
2. Air Quality Trends: You can view a 24-hour air quality trend to know precisely how your hyperlocal air quality is changing.
3. Alarms: Want to be notified in the event of adverse conditions? Through WeatherLink.com you can set predefined thresholds for text or email alarms.
4. Bonus Data: The AirLink collects and calculates a host of auxiliary environmental data, including temperature, humidity, dew point, heat index, and wet bulb.

Figure 1 Air Quality Index and NowCast on the WeatherLink application

Figure 2 Davis Instruments WeatherLink - Desktop view

10 Outstanding Features of the Davis Instruments AirLink Air Quality Sensor 

1. Flexible: Suitable for use either in or outdoors. (Outdoor weather-resistant housing included for outdoor use).

2. Precision Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring: Real-time current readings of Particulate Matter are updated every minute. Accurate to ±10 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3).

3. WiFi Connected: Easily connect the Davis Instruments AirLink to your WiFi network to send data to the WeatherLink Cloud.

4. Connect to the WeatherLink Cloud: Your Davis Instruments AirLink automatically uploads data to the WeatherLink Cloud. Through the Weatherlink app or website, you can view your current, hyperlocal AQI and other air quality data on your phone or computer – from anywhere, at any time. If you select to have your AirLink set to public, others can view site-specific AQI on the Weatherlink map. See Figure 4 (below) for an example of air quality data overlayed on a map from public sharing AirLink stations. Stations are individually colour coded to represent their current air quality with a key along the bottom. 

5. Global Air Quality Indices Available: Data is presented in an easy to understand, colour-coded Air Quality Index (AQI), based on real-time PM_2.5 data. Each country has its own established Air Quality Index standards. Users can select their regional AQI from a list of standards that include Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico, China, EU, UK, India, and South Korea.

6. Versatile mounting options: Place your AirLink on a desk, countertop or mount it on an inside or outside wall.

7. Pair with a Weather Station: Already have a Davis Instruments weather station? It is straightforward to merge your station and AirLink via the WeatherLink Cloud. No weather station – no problem! The AirLink can operate as a stand-alone unit.

8. Additional weather data: Temperature, humidity, dew point, heat index, and wet bulb are collected and calculated by your AirLink. All parameters are updated every minute.

9. Simple Setup: Quickly install Davis Instruments AirLink using the included hardware, then connect to the free WeatherLink app by following the straightforward in-app directions.

10. Smart Home Compatible: Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Davis Instruments AirLink Air Quality Sensor Specifications

Davis Instruments AirLink Air Quality Sensor Applications 

If you're reading this, you must be breathing, and the Davis Instruments AirLink Air Quality Sensor is suited to almost anyone who cares about or wants to know what is in the air they breathe. Here are some common applications:

• Around the home: View current conditions from inside or outside your home. The Davis Instruments AirLink is beneficial in homes with young children, elderly or sensitive persons. Substandard air quality can often exacerbate symptoms of asthma, allergies and other respiratory illnesses.

• Workplaces: Studies indicate that suboptimal air quality can affect the performance and productivity of employees.

• Bushfire prone areas: Most Aussies understand that bushfires impact air quality and public health. Being aware of current conditions (even when it's not yet visible), and contributing data to public maps, like WeatherLink, can help protect populations and individuals from smoke hazards.

Conclusion

Our scientific team rate the AirLink Air Quality Sensor is an ideal, high-quality device for anyone concerned about indoor or outdoor air quality. The sensor is remarkably flexible – it functions equally well indoors or outdoors, and you can pair the AirLink Air Quality Sensor with Davis weather stations or deploy it as a stand-alone unit. When data uploads automatically to the WeatherLink Cloud, you have immediate, mobile access to measurements, including a hyperlocal air quality index. If you choose to share your data, Weatherlink users worldwide can view real-time and accurate air quality data.

In a nutshell – highly recommended! Click here to view the Davis AirLink Air Quality Sensor

Want more information on the Davis Instruments AirLink? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! We're here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].