Testing an Inexpensive Ozone Micro-Sensor Against Research Grade Ozone Sensors

Air pollution control agencies around the country monitor ozone at fixed sites. However, estimating exposure to ozone at distances away from those sites is of high interest to the general public. Several commercial companies are now manufacturing inexpensive ozone sensors appropriate for personal use. However, these instruments are priced so that the typical individual could not easily afford them. The immediate objective of this study has been to test an inexpensive ozone sensor relative to an EPA regulatory level ozone sensor when exposed to moderate levels of ozone during summer 2015. A broader objective is to demonstrate how an inexpensive personal ozone monitor can be built for use by the general public as well as researchers by connecting a passive micro-sensor to a small and inexpensive microprocessor or computer (Arduino or Raspberry pi).