VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

“JNANA SANGAMA”, BELAGAVI -590 018.

2024-2025
A Mini Project
Report
on

“Air Quality Monitoring System Using Arduino”

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
in

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

Submitted By
Ankith Gowda GR [1JB22EE002]
Ankitha C [1JB22EE003]
Ganashree GT [1JB22EE016]

Under the guidance of

Dr. JP Sridhar
Associate Professor,
Dept. of EEE

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

SJB INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

#67, B G S HEALTH AND EDUCATION CITY
Kengeri, Bengaluru-560 06
 ||Jai Sri Gurudev||
Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust ®
SJB INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
BGS Health & Education City, Kengeri, Bengaluru-560 060.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE

Certified that the Mini project work entitled “Air Quality Monitoring System using Arduino”

carried out by Ankith Gowda GR [1JB22EE002], Ankitha C [1JB22EE003], Ganashree GT

[1JB22EE016] are bonafide students of SJB Institute of Technology in partial fulfilment for the

award of “BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING” in ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

ENGINEERING as prescribed by VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY,

BELAGAVI during the academic year 2024-25. It is certified that all corrections/suggestions indicated for

internal assessment have been incorporated in the report deposited in the departmental library. The mini

project report has been approved as it satisfies the academic requirements in respect of mini project work

prescribed for the said degree.

Dr. JP Sridhar Dr. Chandrashekar M J Dr. K V Mahendra Prashanth

Associate Professor Professor & Head Principal
Dept. of EEE, SJBIT Dept. of EEE, SJBIT SJBIT
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our profound gratitude to His Divine Soul Jagadguru Padma Bhushan Sri
Sri Sri Dr. Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji and His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Dr.
Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji for providing us an opportunity to be a part of this esteemed institution.
We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Revered Sri Sri Dr. Prakashnath Swamiji,
Managing Director of SJB Institute of Technology, for his continuous support in providing the
necessary amenities to carry out this project at this esteemed institution.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Puttaraju, Academic Director of the BGS and SJB Group of
Institutions, Dr. K. V. Mahendra Prashanth, Principal of SJB Institute of Technology, and Dr.M J
Chandrashekar, Professor & Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, for
providing us outstanding amenities and for their unwavering support, state-of-the-art facilities, and the
enriching academic environment, which were instrumental in the successful completion of our Mini-
project work.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the Deans of SJB Institute of Technology for their unwavering
support, cutting-edge facilities, and the inspiring academic environment, all of which played a pivotal
role in the successful completion of our mini-project work.

We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to our guide, Dr. JP Sridhar, associate professor, for his
valuable guidance, suggestions, and encouragement during the entire period of our mini-project work.
We express our truthful thanks to Mr. Vijay Kumar K, Assistant Professor, project coordinators, Dept.
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering for their valuable support.

Finally, we take this opportunity to extend my earnest gratitude and respect to our parents, the teaching
& technical staff of the department, the library staff, and all my friends, who have directly or indirectly
supported me during the period of my mini-project work.
Regards,
Ankith Gowda GR [1JB22EE002]
Ankitha C [1JB22EE003]
Ganashree GT [1JB22EE016]
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the entire work embodied in this mini project report has been carried out
under the supervision of Dr. JP Sridhar (Associate Professor) in partial fulfilment for the award
of “BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING” in ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS
ENGINEERING as prescribed by VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY,
BELAGAVI during the academic year 2024-25.

STUDENTS NAME USN SIGNATURE

Ankith Gowda GR 1JB22EE002
Ankitha C 1JB22EE003
Ganashree GT 1JB22EE016
 ABSTRACT

Air quality plays a crucial role in maintaining public health, and its monitoring is vital for
detecting hazardous levels of pollutants. This project aims to design and implement an Air Quality
Monitoring System using Arduino. The system utilizes sensors, MQ-135, MQ-3, MQ-9, DHT-
11 for detecting gases. The collected data is processed by an Arduino microcontroller and
displayed on an LCD screen, providing real-time air quality readings. Additionally, the system can
send alerts when pollutant levels exceed predefined thresholds, ensuring timely responses to
potential air quality hazards. This project provides an affordable and scalable solution for
monitoring air quality, which can be integrated into smart cities or environmental monitoring
setups. The use of Arduino offers flexibility, ease of implementation, and adaptability for further
improvements, such as remote monitoring and data logging for analysis.
The primary objectives are to enhance workplace safety for high-risk occupations and enable
individuals with respiratory conditions to assess air quality in their surroundings. By providing
comprehensive real-time air quality data, this device aims to reduce the risk of accidents and health
issues associated with exposure to hazardous environments. Additionally, it can be integrated with
a central monitoring system, allowing remote assessment of safety conditions, and enabling timely
implementation of precautionary measures.

iii
 Table of Contents
Chapter Particulars Page
Certificate (if a student done the project outside the college)
Acknowledgement i
Declaration ii
Abstract iii
Table of contents iv
List of figures iv-v
List of tables v
1 Introduction 1
2 Literature Review, Motivation, Challenges, Objectives 2-5

3 Methodology & Implementation Details 6-20

4 Results, Discussions and Performance Analysis 21-23

5 Conclusion & Future Scope 24-25

6 Bibliography 26

List of figures
Figure Particulars Page
1 Arduino UNO 7

2 Pin Diagram of LCD Display 8

3 LCD Display 9

4 MQ-135 Sensor 10

5 MQ-9 Sensor 11

iv
 6 MQ 3 Sensor 12

7 DHT11 Sensor 13

8 Block Diagram 15

9 Circuit Diagram 15

10 Completed Model 20

List of Tables
Table Particulars Page
1 Pin Description of Arduino UNO 7
2 Pin Description of LCD 9
3 Pin Description of Mq 9 Sensor 11
4 Pin Description of DHT11 Sensor 13
5 Hardware Connections 14

List of Abbreviations
1. PM :- Particulate Matter
2. CO2 :- Carbon Di-Oxide
3. NO2 :- Nitrogen Di-Oxide
4. IAQ :- Indoor Air Quality
5. VOC :- Volatile Organic Compound
6. PPM :- Parts Per Million
7. AQI :- Air Quality Index

v
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Air Quality has become a growing concern in recent years, with rapid industrialization,
urbanization, and increasing vehicular emissions contributing significantly to environmental
pollution. Exposure to air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur di-oxide and
ozone can have severe impacts on human health, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular
problems and increased mortality rates. Workers in industries such as mining, construction and
sewage maintenance are at high risk of exposure to hazardous gases like methane, carbon monoxide
and low oxygen levels which can lead serious health issues or even fatal accidents.

Monitoring air quality is essential for identifying pollution sources, understanding trends and taking
timely actions to improve public health and environmental quality. Air Quality Monitoring aims to
design and implement a system that can measure and analyze key pollutants such as Particulate
Matter(PM 2.5 and PM 10), carbon dioxide(CO2), nitrogen dioxide(NO2) and other harmful gases.
By employing sensors and data acquisition methods, the project will track real-time air quality
levels and provide actionable insights through data visualization.

Air pollution has become one of the most significant environmental challenges of the 21st century,
impacting ecosystems, human health, and the global climate. With rapid industrialization,
urbanization, and population growth, the levels of harmful air pollutants continue to rise,
necessitating the development of systems to monitor and manage air quality effectively.

This Air Quality Monitoring System mini project aims to address this challenge by designing a
compact, efficient, and cost-effective solution for real-time monitoring of air pollutants. By
leveraging modern sensors and microcontroller technology, the system enables individuals,
communities, and policymakers to access actionable data about air quality in specific environments.

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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 BASE PAPERS

Smart City Battery Operated IOT Based Indoor Air Quality Monitoring System

Authors: Siavash Esfahani; Piers Rollins; Jan Peter Specht; Marina Cole; Julian W. Gardner
Published in: 2020 IEEE SENSORS
This paper presents the design and development of a low-cost, portable Internet of Things (IoT)
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring system with 30 hours of battery life. This prototype system
offers advantages such as improved customization, and flexibility in selecting various low cost
sensors.

Electronic System for Real-Time Indoor Air Quality Monitoring

Authors: Sholahudin; Yordanius Damey; Wahyu Fauji; Muchtar Ali Setyo Yudono
Published in: 2023 IEEE 9th International Conference on Computing, Engineering and Design
(ICCED)
This paper proposed a Real-Time Indoor Air Quality Monitoring System, which aims to provide the
means to a clean indoor environment, essential to human well-being. The system is represented by
an electronic nose through which the ambient air parameters are measured in real-time, the data
generated by the sensors being processed and sent to the mobile app.

Intellectual Air Quality Monitoring System Based on Arduino Uno

Authors: Ivan Rudavskyi; Halyna Klym

Published in: 2023 IEEE 12th International Conference on Intelligent Data Acquisition and
Advanced Computing Systems: Technology and Applications (IDAACS)
An intelligent air quality monitoring system, based on the versatile and widely-used Arduino Uno
microcontroller, has been designed and developed as the foundational platform. The system was
subjected to testing procedures to verify its compliance with the specified requirements.

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2.2 MOTIVATION

The motivation behind building an Air Quality Monitoring System using Arduino stems from
several critical factors that highlight both the need for such systems and the educational value of
working with a hands-on project. Here are key motivations behind the pursuing of this mini project:

1. Rising Concern for Environmental Health:

Air quality is a significant factor influencing human health. Poor air quality, caused by pollutants
like particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), can lead to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even premature
death. By building an air quality monitoring system, you're contributing to the growing need to
understand and mitigate air pollution.

2. Affordable and Accessible Monitoring:

Traditional air quality monitoring systems can be expensive and often require specialized
infrastructure. By using Arduino—a low-cost, widely accessible platform—this project provides an
affordable solution for individuals, communities, and small-scale researchers to monitor air quality
in their surroundings. It democratizes access to environmental monitoring.

3. Practical Application of Sensor Technology:

This project provides hands-on experience with various sensors such as the MQ series (for gases
like CO, NO2), PM2.5/PM10 sensors, and temperature and humidity sensors. These are integral
components in many modern environmental monitoring systems. Learning to interface these
sensors with an Arduino board helps develop practical knowledge in electronics, sensor integration,
and data acquisition.

4. Data Logging and Analysis Skills:

One of the main aspects of air quality monitoring is data collection, storage, and interpretation. This
project introduces you to concepts like data logging, real-time monitoring, and basic data analysis.
You can store data on an SD card or visualize it in real time using a display or serial monitor, and
even analyse trends over time. This adds value to the project by linking theoretical knowledge to
practical analysis.

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5. Awareness and Action on Environmental Issues:

By developing this system, you raise awareness about the importance of air quality and the
environmental issues affecting communities. The data generated can be shared with others to
highlight pollution hotspots and inspire local action. Additionally, the system can be a starting point
for future work, such as integrating it with IoT platforms for remote monitoring and alerts.

6. Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills:

Building an air quality monitoring system requires a combination of hardware design, software
programming, and system integration. You'll gain insights into troubleshooting and problem-
solving, which are valuable skills in any technical field. You may also encounter challenges like
sensor calibration, communication protocols (like I2C, UART), and power management, giving you
a more comprehensive understanding of electronics and coding.

7. Contribution to Smart Cities and Sustainability:

As the world moves towards smart cities and sustainable living, air quality monitoring is a
fundamental part of creating healthier urban environments. This project can serve as a prototype for
a larger-scale solution, contributing to the global push for sustainability and improving quality of
life.

2.3 CHALLENGES
Building an Air Quality Monitoring System using Arduino is an engaging and educational mini-
project, but like any technical project, it comes with its own set of challenges. Below are some of
the key challenges we have faced during the development and implementation of this project:

1. Sensor Calibration and Accuracy:

Sensors were highly sensitive but required calibration to deliver accurate results. The sensors were
not giving precise readings.

2. Inconsistent or Unstable Sensor Readings:

The Gas Sensor was fluctuating readings. Environmental factors were affecting the accuracy of the
readings.

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2.4 OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this mini project is to enhance awareness of environmental conditions and
encourage the people to minimize air pollution.
To develop a compact and portable model that can be easily deployed in various small scale living
places.
To integrate sensors capable of detecting and quantifying various air pollutants including
particulate matter, carbon dioxide, methane, alcohol, smoke and carbon monoxide.
To implement an intuitive user interface that displays real-time air quality data and provides visual
alerts when pollutant levels exceed predetermined safe thresholds.
Protecting public health by monitoring critical air quality parameters such as oxygen, carbon
dioxide, and methane levels, which are crucial for respiratory safety.
Enabling accessibility to real-time air quality information at any time and location through the
device's user interface.
Facilitating prior analysis of situations for individuals with respiratory conditions by recording and
storing historical air quality data.
The overarching goal is to provide accessible air quality information to safeguard public health,
particularly for those working in hazardous environments or suffering from respiratory ailments.

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CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY AND IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS

3.1 METHODOLOGY
The air quality monitoring system is built around a Arduino Uno Microcontroller that can measure
air pollutants and display the real time values on LCD display.
To implement the method there are many different types of technologies and ways. But we have
opted for the motive of the Air quality management system using Arduino as it is very efficient and
easy process to get the concentration of the particulate matter (PM) in the form of PPM (parts per
million).
We have used Arduino UNO, MQ-135 gas sensor, LCD display, to develop an arudino based air
pollution detector.
The device is linked to a computer through a serial connection. From the sensor, the collected
data through the arduino microcontroller.
It will then be transmitted to the computer software, where it becomes documented and plotted
in real-time.

3.2 IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS

Components Used:
1. ARUDINO UNO:
The Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328 . It has 14 digital input/output
pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator, a USB
connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to
support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a
AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started. The Uno differs from all preceding boards in that it does
not use the FTDI USB-to- serial driver chip. Instead, it features the Atmega16U2 (Atmega8U2 up to
version R2) programmed as a USB-to-serial converter. The Uno board has a resistor pulling the 8U2
HWB line to ground, making it easier to put into DFU mode. The board has the following new
features:  1.0 pinout: added SDA and SCL pins that are near to the AREF pin and two other new
pins placed near to the RESET pin, the IOREF that allow the shields to adapt to the voltage provided
from the board. In future, shields will be compatible with both the board that uses the AVR, which

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Air Quality Monitoring system 2024-25
operates with 5V and with the Arduino Due that operates with 3.3V. The second one is a not
connected pin, that is reserved for future purposes.   Stronger RESET circuit. Atmega 16U2
replace the 8U2.
Pin Description:

Microcontroller ATmega328
Operating Voltage 5V
Input Voltage 7-12V
Input Voltage (limits) 6-20V
Digital I/O Pins 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
Analog Input Pins 6
DC Current per I/O Pin 40 mA

DC Current for 3.3V Pin 50 mA

Flash Memory 32 KB (ATmega328) of which 0.5 KB used by
SRAM 2 KB (ATmega328)
EEPROM 1 KB (ATmega328)
Clock Speed 16 MHz
Length 68.6 mm
Width 53.4 mm
Weight 25 g
Table 3.1 Pin Description of Arduino UNO

Fig 3.1 Arduino UNO

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2. LCD DISPLAY:
In 1968, RCA Laboratories developed the first liquid crystal display (LCD). Since then, LCD’s have
been implemented on almost all types of digital devices, from watches to computer to projection TVs
.LCD’s operate as a light “valve”, blocking light or allowing it to pass through. An image in an LCD is
formed by applying an electric field to alter the chemical properties of each LCC (Liquid Crystal Cell)
in the display in order to change a pixel’s light absorption properties. These LCC’s modify the image
produced by the backlight into the screen output requested by the controller. Through the end output
may be in color, the LCC’s are monochrome, and the color is added later through a filtering process.
Modern laptop computer displays can produce 65,536 simultaneous colors at resolution of 800 X 600.
To understand the operation of an LCD, it is easiest to trace the path of a light ray from the backlight to
the user. The light source is usually located directly behind the LCD, and can use either LED or
conventional fluorescent technology. From this source, the light ray will pass through a light polarizer to
uniformly polarize the light so it can be acted upon by the liquid crystal (LC) matrix. The light beam
will then pass through the LC matrix, which will determine whether this pixel should be “on” or “off”. If
the pixel is “on”, the liquid crystal cell is electrically activated, and the molecules in the liquid will align
in a single direction. This will allow the light to pass through unchanged. If the pixel is “off”, the
electric field is removed from the liquid, and the molecules with in scatter. This dramatically reduces the
light that will pass through the display at that pixel. In a color display, after the light passes through the
liquid crystal matrix, it passes through a color filter (usually glass). This filter blocks all wavelengths of
light except those within the range of that pixel. In a typical RGB display, the color filter is integrated
into the upper glass colored microscopically to render each individual pixel red,green or blue.

Fig 3.2 Pin Diagram of LCD

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Pin Description:

Table 3.2 Pin Description of LCD

Fig 3.3 LCD Display

3. MQ135 SENSOR (MULTI GAS SENSOR):

MQ135 Gas Sensor module for Air Quality having Digital as well as Analog output. Sensitive material
of MQ135 gas sensor is SnO2, which with lower conductivity in clean air. When the target combustible
gas exist, The sensors conductivity is more higher along with the gas concentration rising. MQ135 gas
sensor has high sensitivity to Ammonia, Sulphide and Benze steam, also sensitive to smoke and other
harmful gases. It is with low cost and suitable for different application. Used for family, Surrounding
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 Air Quality Monitoring system 2024-25
environment noxious gas detection device, Apply to ammonia, aromatics, sulfur, benzene vapor, and
other harmful gases/smoke, gas detection, tested concentration range: 10 to 1000 ppm.

Fig 3.4 MQ 135 Sensor

Pin Description:

Pin 1: VCC: This pin refers to a positive power supply of 5V that power up the MQ135 sensor module.
Pin 2: GND (Ground): This is a reference potential pin, which connects the MQ135 sensor module to
the ground.
Pin 3: Digital Out (Do): This pin refers to the digital output pin that gives the digital output by
adjusting the threshold value with the help of a potentiometer. This pin is used to detect and measure
any one particular gas and makes the MQ135 sensor work without a microcontroller.
Pin 4: Analog Out (Ao): This pin generates the analog output signal of 0V to 5V and it depends on the
gas intensity. This analog output signal is proportional to the gas vapor concentration, which is
measured by the MQ135 sensor module. This pin is used to measure the gases in PPM. It is driven by
TTL logic, operates with 5V, and is mostly interfaced with microcontrollers.

4. MQ 9 SENSOR (CO SENSOR):

The MQ-9 is a gas sensor designed for detecting carbon monoxide (CO) and flammable gases such
as methane (CH₄) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It is widely used in safety systems, air quality
monitoring, and industrial gas detection applications due to its high sensitivity, durability, and ease of
integration with microcontrollers.
The MQ-9 sensor is a chemiresistive sensor with a metal oxide semiconductor (SnO₂) as the sensing
material. It operates as follows:

1. Heating Element: Heats the sensing material to different temperatures depending on the
detection mode.

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2. Gas Interaction: Target gas molecules react with oxygen on the sensor's surface.
3. Resistance Change: The interaction changes the sensor's resistance, which varies with gas
concentration.
4. Output Signal: This change in resistance is translated into an analog voltage signal or a digital
output.

Fig 3.5 MQ 9 Sensor

Pin Description:

Pin Name Description

1 Vcc It is a power supply pin for the heater element. It usually requires 5V
DC.
2 GND It's the ground connection pin.
3 Aout It is the analogue output pin. The voltage on this pin varies
depending on the gas concentration detected by the sensor, which
means a higher voltage indicates a higher gas concentration.
4 Dout It is a digital output pin (present on some models). Provides a binary
(optional) signal (high or low) based on a pre-set threshold for gas
concentration.

Table 3.3 Pin Description of Mq9

5. MQ 3 SENSOR (SMOKE SENSOR):

MQ3 sensor is a smoke detect sensor which widely use in air pollution monitoring system projects.
Which only detect the smoke presence in the air. The gas sensors are made up of special element inside
the main cover which absorb the smoke.

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The MQ3 alcohol gas sensor is a module used for detecting alcohol, CH4, benzene, gasoline, hexane,
CO, and LPG. It has a sensitive material SnO2 for alcohol gas detection, with lower electrical
conductivity in the fresh air. It is a semiconductor alcohol gas sensor that detects or monitors the
presence or absence of alcohol. It is also known as chemiresistors because sensing of the sensitive
material depends on the resistance change when the sensor is exposed to alcohol gas.

Fig 3.6 MQ 3 sensor

Pin Description:

VCC: This pin refers to the positive power supply. To power up the sensor, the 5V positive supply is
connected to this pin
GND: This pin refers to the common ground connection.
Digital Output (Do): This pin generates the digital output signal by varying threshold limits with the
help of an onboard potentiometer. This pin is to represent the digital output as 0 or 1 based on the
alcohol gas present in the air.
Analog Output (Ao): This pin generates an analogue output signal in the range of 0V to 5V and it
depends on the alcohol gas intensity.

6. DHT11 SENSOR (TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY SENSOR):

DHT sensor stand for digital temperature and humidity sensor. This sensor gives digital values for
temperature and humidity. Inside this sensor there are two separate sensors one is for temperature and
other is for humidity.

The DHT11 is a basic, low cost digital temperature and humidity sensor.

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 DHT11 is a single wire digital humidity and temperature sensor, which provides humidity and
temperature values serially with one-wire protocol.
 DHT11 sensor provides relative humidity value in percentage (20 to 90% RH) and temperature
values in degree Celsius (0 to 50 °C).
 DHT11 sensor uses resistive humidity measurement component, and NTC temperature
measurement component.

Fig 3.7 DHT11 Sensor

Pin Description:

Pin No. Pin Name Pin Description

1 VCC Power supply 3.3 to 5.5 Volt DC

2 DATA Digital output pin

3 NC Not in use

4 GND Ground

Table 3.4 Pin Description of DHT11 sensor

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Hardware Connections:

Arduino UNO DHT 11 SENSOR

+5V (V) VCC
G, GND (G) GND
2 Pin (S) Out Pin
Arduino UNO MQ2 Sensor
+5V VCC
GND GND

Arduino UNO MQ9 Sensor

+5V VCC
G, GND GND
2 Pin A1
Arduino UNO MQ135 Sensor
+5V VCC
GND GND
A0 Pin (SDA Pin) A2 Pin
Arduino UNO 16 X 2 LCD
+5V VCC, A
G, GND VSS, K
12 RS
11 E
10 D4
9 D5
8 D6
7 D7

Table 3.5 Hardware Connections

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System Architecture:

Fig 3.8 Block Diagram

Circuit Diagram:

Fig 3.9 Circuit Diagram

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Software Code:

#include <Wire.h>

#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

#include <DHT.h>

// Constants

#define MQ3_PIN A0 // MQ3 analog pin

#define MQ9_PIN 4 // MQ9 analog pin

#define MQ135_PIN A2 // MQ135 analog pin

#define DHT_PIN 2 // DHT11 data pin

#define DHT_TYPE DHT11 // DHT sensor type

// Initialization

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2); // LCD I2C address:

0x27

DHT dht(DHT_PIN, DHT_TYPE);

// Calibration factors for sensors (adjust based on calibration)

float MQ3_CAL = 0.01; // MQ3 calibration factor (VOC)

float MQ9_CAL = 0.01; // MQ9 calibration factor (CO)

float MQ135_CAL = 0.01; // MQ135 calibration factor

(NH3)

// Function to calculate AQI

int calculateAQI(float concentration, float Clow, float Chigh,

int Ilow, int Ihigh) {

return ((Ihigh - Ilow) / (Chigh - Clow)) * (concentration -

Clow) + Ilow;

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// Function to get AQI status

String getAQIStatus(int aqi) {

if (aqi <= 50) return "Good";

else if (aqi <= 100) return "Moderate";

else if (aqi <= 150) return "Unhealthy";

else if (aqi <= 200) return "Very Bad";

else return "Hazardous";

// Setup function

void setup() {

lcd.begin(16, 2); // Initialize LCD

lcd.backlight(); // Turn on the backlight

dht.begin(); // Initialize DHT sensor

lcd.setCursor(0, 0);

lcd.print("AQI Monitor");

delay(2000);

lcd.clear();

// Loop function

void loop() {

// Read sensor values

int mq3_raw = analogRead(MQ3_PIN);

int mq9_raw = analogRead(MQ9_PIN);

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int mq135_raw = analogRead(MQ135_PIN);

// Convert to concentrations (example: ppm)

float voc = mq3_raw * MQ3_CAL; // MQ3: VOCs

float co = mq9_raw * MQ9_CAL; // MQ9: CO

float nh3 = mq135_raw * MQ135_CAL; // MQ135: NH3

// Read DHT11 data

float temperature = dht.readTemperature();

float humidity = dht.readHumidity();

// Check for DHT errors

if (isnan(temperature) || isnan(humidity)) {

lcd.setCursor(0, 0);

lcd.print("DHT Error!");

delay(2000);

return;

// AQI Calculation

int aqi_voc = calculateAQI(voc, 0, 2, 0, 5); // Adjust ranges

for VOC

int aqi_co = calculateAQI(co, 0, 1, 0, 5); // Adjust ranges

for CO

int aqi_nh3 = calculateAQI(nh3, 0, 2, 0, 5); // Adjust

ranges for NH3

// Determine overall AQI (max of individual AQIs)

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int overall_aqi = max(max(aqi_voc, aqi_co), aqi_nh3);

String aqi_status = getAQIStatus(overall_aqi);

// Display data on LCD

lcd.clear();

lcd.setCursor(0, 0);

lcd.print("AQI: ");

lcd.print(overall_aqi);

lcd.setCursor(0, 1);

lcd.print("Status: ");

lcd.print(aqi_status);

delay(2000); // Display for 2 seconds

lcd.clear();

lcd.setCursor(0, 0);

lcd.print("Temp: ");

lcd.print(temperature);

lcd.print("C");

lcd.setCursor(0, 1);

lcd.print("Hum: ");

lcd.print(humidity);

lcd.print("%");

delay(2000);

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Completed Model:

Fig 3.9 Completed Model

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CHAPTER 4
RESULT DISCUSSION AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
4.1 RESULT
The data collected from the system showed the following trends and observations:

 Air Quality Index (AQI): Based on the sensor readings of CO2 and particulate matter, the
air quality was categorized into ranges such as Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, and Hazardous.

o Good: The levels of CO2 and particulate matter were low, indicating healthy air
quality.
o Moderate: CO2 levels were higher but still within the safe limits.
o Unhealthy: Elevated levels of CO2 and particulate matter were detected, posing
health risks for sensitive individuals.
o Hazardous: The system detected very high concentrations of particulate matter and
gases, which are dangerous to the general population.
 Temperature and Humidity: The DHT11/DHT22 sensors provided consistent and
accurate readings of the environment's temperature and humidity, which were used to
correlate air quality with weather conditions. For example:
o High Humidity: May exacerbate particulate matter levels, leading to poor air quality.
o High Temperature: Can increase the evaporation of certain pollutants, leading to
higher pollution levels.

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4.2 DISCUSSIONS

The project successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using an Arduino-based system for real-
time air quality monitoring. The system provided valuable data that can be used for assessing
pollution levels and understanding the factors influencing air quality in a specific location. By
integrating multiple sensors, the system allowed for comprehensive monitoring, which could be
extended for use in various settings, such as homes, schools, or industrial environments.

The use of an LCD or a remote cloud-based platform like ThingSpeak or Blynk enabled users to
easily monitor air quality. These platforms also provided an option to store data for long-term
analysis, allowing trends and patterns in air quality to be observed over time.

Despite the challenges with sensor calibration and power management, the system can be further
optimized to create more robust and reliable air quality monitoring systems. For instance:

 Advanced sensors (e.g., CCS811 for CO2 or PMS5003 for particulate matter) can be
integrated for better accuracy.
 Incorporating solar power or low-power sleep modes would improve battery life.
 Adding more sensors like NO2 or SO2 could provide a more comprehensive air quality
index.

4.3 PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

Accuracy and Reliability

The accuracy of the system was enhanced through calibration against known reference values.
Calibration processes were carried out periodically to ensure sensor readings were as precise as
possible.

Real-Time Data Monitoring

Data from the sensors was read every 1–5 seconds, providing real-time updates. This frequency
allowed for consistent monitoring and tracking of air quality changes over short periods.

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Data Transmission and Connectivity

The system functioned well in areas with good Wi-Fi signal strength but faced occasional
connection drops in environments with unstable or weak signals.

Data sent to cloud services was visualized on a web dashboard, providing graphs and historical
data for easier interpretation.

Strengths of the System

The use of Arduino and budget sensors made the project affordable and accessible for educational
purposes.

The project can be adapted to measure additional air quality parameters or integrated with other
sensors such as temperature or humidity sensors.

The data displayed on an LCD screen was easy to read, and the cloud dashboard allowed for an
intuitive interface to view historical data.

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CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE

5.1 CONCLUSION

The Air Quality Monitoring System using Arduino project effectively illustrated that it is feasible
to develop a real-time, reasonably priced air quality monitoring tool.

The system measured and displayed important air quality data and other pollutants, by combining a
number of sensors, including the MQ-135, MQ-9, MQ-3 and DHT-11 with an Arduino
microcontroller.

In addition to achieving its goal of offering an easily accessible environmental monitoring solution,
the project brought to light significant facets of data transmission, display management, and sensor
data processing.

The system's performance demonstrated encouraging outcomes for both initial prototype and
educational purposes.

The integration with wireless modules enabled remote monitoring, which improved the system's
usability, and the real-time data collecting and display worked efficiently.

All things considered, this project offers a strong basis for future growth and enhancement. Not
with 5/+84standing its drawbacks, the Air Quality Monitoring System is a great first step in creating
more advanced, reasonably priced, and easily navigable environmental monitoring systems.

5.2 FUTURE SCOPE

The future scope of the Air Quality Monitoring System using Arduino is vast, with opportunities to
enhance accuracy, incorporate advanced technologies, expand power efficiency, and improve user
experience.

By implementing these improvements, the system can transition from a simple educational tool to a
sophisticated device capable of real-world applications in environmental monitoring, public health,
and smart city development.

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Organizing workshops to showcase the capabilities of the air quality monitoring system can
increase awareness of air quality issues and teach people about pollution and its effects.

These advancements will not only make the system more robust but also contribute to creating a
healthier and more informed community.

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CHAPTER 6
BIBLIOGRAPHY
6.1 BIBLIOGRAPHY

• I. Rudavskyi and H. Klym, "Intellectual Air Quality Monitoring System Based on Arduino
Uno," 2023 IEEE 12th International Conference on Intelligent Data Acquisition and
Advanced Computing Systems: Technology and Applications (IDAACS), Dortmund,
Germany, 2023, pp. 804-807, doi: 10.1109/IDAACS58523.2023.10348693.
• A. N, A. C. S, S. P and T. V, "Air Quality Monitoring System," 2023 Intelligent Computing
and Control for Engineering and Business Systems (ICCEBS), Chennai, India, 2023, pp. 1-
5, doi: 10.1109/ICCEBS58601.2023.10448553.
• S. Esfahani, P. Rollins, J. P. Specht, M. Cole and J. W. Gardner, "Smart City Battery
Operated IoT Based Indoor Air Quality Monitoring System," 2020 IEEE SENSORS,
Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2020, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/SENSORS47125.2020.9278913.
• Sholahudin, Y. Damey, W. Fauji and M. A. S. Yudono, "Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
System with Automation: A Review," 2023 IEEE 9th International Conference on
Computing, Engineering and Design (ICCED), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2023, pp. 1-6,
doi: 10.1109/ICCED60214.2023.10425129.
• Clements, A. L., Griswold, W. G., & Edwards, J. (2017). Low-cost air quality monitoring
tools: From research to practice. Environmental Science & Policy, 85, 31-36.

https://youtu.be/lrRKYNKSYtk?si=Effcwl588SfDRYY9

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