Air quality monitoring systems (AQMS)
Air quality monitoring splits into gas-pollutant-focused stations, noise-and-particulate-focused stations, and separate VOCs sensors, deployed as fixed regulatory stations or smaller micro monitors depending on network density needed.
Two families for two monitoring goals
The ZAQ650 series (650/660/670) is built around gas pollutant monitoring: CO, SO2, NO2 and O3 alongside particulates (PM2.5/PM10) and weather context. The ZAQ350 series (350/360/370/380) has no gas sensors but adds noise measurement (30-130 dB(A)) to particulates and weather, suited to sites where noise pollution matters as much as air quality, such as urban parks and residential areas near transport infrastructure. See the full ZAQ series comparison for the complete breakdown.
Fixed stations vs micro monitors
Outdoor air quality monitoring stations (the full ZAQ range) are floor-standing or pole-mounted units for fixed regulatory or community monitoring networks. The micro air quality monitor and dust/particle sensors are smaller, lower-cost units for denser deployment, integration into smart streetlights, or building-level monitoring where a full station's footprint isn't justified.
VOCs monitoring
Separately from particulate and gas monitoring, the ZAQ12V VOCs sensor uses PID (photoionization detector) technology to measure volatile organic compounds down to 0-50 ppm with 1 ppb resolution, used by Environmental Protection Department-style monitoring, industrial parks and factories where VOC emissions specifically need tracking.
Where these are deployed
Parks, sports venues, smart streetlights, bus stops, airports, smart buildings and general urban environmental monitoring are the stated use cases across the ZAQ range, with EPD-style regulatory monitoring, industrial parks and construction-site dust monitoring as more specific applications for the VOCs and dust-focused variants.
Relevant products
Frequently asked questions
Which ZAQ series should I choose for a regulatory monitoring network?+
The ZAQ650 series covers the core regulated gas pollutants (CO, SO2, NO2, O3) alongside particulates, which is typically what regulatory AQMS networks require. The ZAQ350 series is a better fit where noise pollution monitoring matters more than gas pollutants.
What's the difference between the outdoor station and the micro air quality monitor?+
The outdoor stations (ZAQ220 through ZAQ670) are larger, floor or pole-mounted units for fixed monitoring points. The micro air quality monitor is smaller and lower-cost, suited to denser deployment or integration into smart streetlight and building systems.
Can VOCs be monitored alongside gas pollutants and particulates?+
VOCs monitoring uses a separate PID-based sensor (the ZAQ12V) rather than being built into the standard ZAQ outdoor stations, since VOC detection uses different sensing technology to the electrochemical gas sensors used for CO/SO2/NO2/O3.