Evaluation of CSTEP calibration data with AQMS-reported data

The table below presents the performance metrics for the sensors procured by CSTEP. The evaluation was conducted with the manufacturer's consent for the study, following application of a calibration model developed independently by CSTEP.

Pollutant
Sensor
Model (Make)
Date of Purchase
R²
MAE
RMSE
PM₂.₅AeronLMR-AQM21November 20230.6 to 0.72 (OPC)10.37 to 12.13 (OPC)14.25 to 16.88 (OPC)
PM₂.₅AeronLMR-AQM21November 20230.71 to 0.78 (Tera Sensor)8.87 to 10.12 (Tera Sensor)12.9 to 15.72 (Tera Sensor)
PM₂.₅AeronLMR-AQM21November 20230.71 to 0.80 (Hybrid)8.65 to 9.84 (Hybrid)12.43 to 15.53 (Hybrid)
PM₂.₅AirvedaPM2510TH-SNOZCO-WPGSM-SDecember 20230.77 to 0.83 (Plantower)8.18 to 9.51 (Plantower)12.26 to 13.8 (Plantower)
PM₂.₅AurassureInfraJanuary 20240.72 to 0.84 (Sensirion)7.90 to 9.92 (Sensirion)10.81 to 16.58 (Sensirion)
PM₂.₅RespirerRespirerJanuary 20240.65 to 0.86 (Plantower)7.68 to 11.90 (Plantower)10.48 to 17.64 (Plantower)
PM₂.₅RespirerRespirerJanuary 20240.57 to 0.77 (OPC)9.95 to 12.39 (OPC)13.71 to 17.63 (OPC)
PM₂.₅SensitSensitJanuary 20240.8 to 0.86 (Plantower)7.32 to 8.307 (Plantower)9.84 to 13.06 (Plantower)
PM₂.₅SensitSensitJanuary 20240.7 to 0.78 (OPC)9.37 to 11.6 (OPC)13.31 to 14.55 (OPC)
PM₂.₅SensitSensitJanuary 20240.82 to 0.86 (Hybrid)7.35 to 8.71 (Hybrid)9.58 to 12.60 (Hybrid)
PM₁₀AeronLMR-AQM21November 20230.51 to 0.71 (OPC)20.65 to 24.44 (OPC)29 to 35.41 (OPC)
PM₁₀AeronLMR-AQM21November 20230.6 to 0.71 (Tera Sensor)19.37 to 21.90 (Tera Sensor)29.10 to 33.62 (Tera Sensor)
PM₁₀AeronLMR-AQM21November 20230.6 to 0.75 (Hybrid)18.62 to 21.64 (Hybrid)27.09 to 33.82 (Hybrid)
PM₁₀RespirerRespirerJanuary 20240.71 to 0.80 (Hybrid)16.56 to 21.15 (Hybrid)23.15 to 30.12 (Hybrid)
PM₁₀RespirerRespirerJanuary 20240.64 to 0.74 (Plantower)18 to 22.26 (Plantower)25.82 to 32.84 (Plantower)
PM₁₀RespirerRespirerJanuary 20240.61 to 0.70 (OPC)20.83 to 22.13 (OPC)27.57 to 32.6 (OPC)
PM₁₀SensitSensitJanuary 20240.65 to 0.75 (Plantower)16.86 to 22.16 (Plantower)21.64 to 32.06 (Plantower)
PM₁₀SensitSensitJanuary 20240.48 to 0.62 (OPC)24.33 to 17.31 (OPC)29.62 to 33.82 (OPC)
PM₁₀SensitSensitJanuary 20240.62 to 0.76 (Hybrid)17.74 to 21.64 (Hybrid)23.83 to 30.53 (Hybrid)
NO₂AeronLMR-AQM21November 20230.80 to 0.942.93 to 4.844.37 to 8.19
NO₂AirvedaPM2510TH-SNOZCO-WPGSM-SDecember 20230.89 to 0.933.50 to 3.765.75 to 7.92
NO₂AurassureInfraJanuary 20240.21 to 0.864.24 to 14.236.69 to 19.36
NO₂RespirerRespirerJanuary 20240.88 to 0.923.24 to 3.705.26 to 6.81
NO₂SensitSensitJanuary 20240.92 to 0.962.32 to 2.753.90 to 5.25
O₃AeronLMR-AQM21November 20230.96 to 0.982.21 to 3.583.4 to 5.024
O₃AirvedaPM2510TH-SNOZCO-WPGSM-SDecember 20230.90 to 0.954.27 to 5.705.75 to 7.92
O₃AurassureInfraJanuary 20240.76 to 0.896.32 to 9.718.32 to 12.51
O₃RespirerRespirerJanuary 20240.97 to 0.982.65 to 3.213.81 to 4.37
O₃SensitSensitJanuary 20240.94 to 0.973.23 to 4.744.40 to 6.96

Reference: CSTEP. 2026. Performance evaluation of multi-pollutant air quality sensors at Indi-SET, Bengaluru, India, First edition, A short- and medium-term evaluation. (CSTEP-RR-2026-02).

Pollutant Definitions

PM₂.₅

Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. These fine particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and lungs.

PM₁₀

Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. Contains dust, pollen, and mold, and can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

NO₂

Nitrogen Dioxide. A highly reactive gas primarily formed from vehicle emissions and power plants, known to cause respiratory issues.

O₃

Ozone. At ground level, it is a harmful air pollutant formed by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).