US Consulate AQI Figures Banned in Beijing?

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  • #43277
    Avatar photoCharlie
    Keymaster

    This morning I woke up and checked the AQI as I do everyday and noticed something different.

    Where it used to show the Beijing US Embassy AQI figures, it now says “Data from this source was censored by orders from the government.”

    Now when you go to the city list, there is no reading available from the US Embassy in Beijing. Chengdu’s US Consulate figures are still available and working for now.

    Anyone else notice this, or know what’s going on?

    #43279
    Avatar photoBrendan
    Moderator

    It’s alright, they’re just removing the dirty numbers first before they get busy with cleaning up the air.

    Hilarious that this has happened within 2 days of the US/China ‘climate deal’…

    #43283
    Avatar photoniklas
    Participant

    Since around a week ago the US embassy in Beijing haven’t shown any numbers. The latest update info for the Air Quality app says “Changelog for this version was redacted due to some reasons”. And in the app is now the mentioned text.

    It’s ridiculous. I thought about this when the numbers suddenly disappeared a week ago, but thought it can’t be that the government is censoring it because of the visit. But seems like that’s the case. Hope it’ll start functioning again.

    In my opinion this shows we can’t even rely on the US embassies readings. China needs a crowd-sourced underground AQI measuring network.

    #43284
    Avatar photoBrendan
    Moderator

    In my opinion this shows we can’t even rely on the US embassies readings. China needs a crowd-sourced underground AQI measuring network.

    We’ve discussed this briefly here before. Community based networks are wholly feasible, and a pretty neat idea into the bargain!

    #43285
    Avatar photoCharlie
    Keymaster

    In my opinion this shows we can’t even rely on the US embassies readings. China needs a crowd-sourced underground AQI measuring network.

    We’ve discussed this briefly here before. Community based networks are wholly feasible, and a pretty neat idea into the bargain!

    Is this even possible? Wouldn’t that require sophisticated and expensive equipment? I tried to order one of these about a year ago but the seller was inactive. Maybe something like this could work.

    #43335
    Avatar photoniklas
    Participant

    Is this even possible? Wouldn’t that require sophisticated and expensive equipment? I tried to order one of these about a year ago but the seller was inactive. Maybe something like this could work.

    Sensors are in general ridiculously cheap. I have a PM 2.5 sensors lying around at home. Believe it was around 10 RMB. Looked up which sensor some commercial air quality measuring product was using and bought the same one. Haven’t started using it yet. If you’re willing to put something together yourself with some sensors, Arduino/Raspberry Pi/similar and some coding then my guess is it would be cheap.

    I think AQI is calculated from 3 different measured values? So need 3 different sensors. Guess the other two sensors are also quite affordable.

    The product you linked to seems cool. I’ve been trying to buy an Air Quality Egg in the past. http://airqualityegg.com
    Air Quality Egg don’t show AQI though. I think AQI is the best measurement as lots of people are familiar with it, and then it can easily be compared to the official stations’ values.

    #43336
    Avatar photoBen
    Moderator

    A friend purchased this from JD: http://item.jd.com/940210.html

    It would be cool to have the sensors connected to a Raspberry Pi. It wouldn’t take long to knock together a few scripts to automatically publish the data online.

    #43337
    Avatar photoCharlie
    Keymaster

    I’ve been trying to buy an Air Quality Egg in the past. http://airqualityegg.com Air Quality Egg don’t show AQI though. I think AQI is the best measurement as lots of people are familiar with it, and then it can easily be compared to the official stations’ values.

    I looked at this a while ago and thought that it would have limited practicality in China because it measures CO and NO2, but I just noticed that it has a particulate add on. Although the air quality egg with the add on wouldn’t be a cheap solution (at $243 it’s getting into Dylos territory), I would be down to get this and try to publish some data online. Any thoughts?

    A friend purchased this from JD: http://item.jd.com/940210.html It would be cool to have the sensors connected to a Raspberry Pi. It wouldn’t take long to knock together a few scripts to automatically publish the data online.

    Is it possible to connect this to a RPi? I used this exact device about a year ago. At the time it cost twice as much as it does now. It worked well, though.

    #43339
    Avatar photoniklas
    Participant

    Does this product only measure PM 2.5? If you open it up it’s quite likely you’ll find this sensor: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.36.492yrD&id=42313453775&ns=1&abbucket=20#detail

    If it measures other interesting values – would you be willing to pop it open to see which sensors it’s using?

    If anyone else is up for it I’d love to look into it a bit more, buy some sensors, bring a Raspberry Pi or two and spend an evening at a cafe or something and try to hack something together. Nothing too ambitious, but get started tinkering with it.

    #43340
    Avatar photoCharlie
    Keymaster

    Does this product only measure PM 2.5? If you open it up it’s quite likely you’ll find this sensor: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.36.492yrD&id=42313453775&ns=1&abbucket=20#detail If it measures other interesting values – would you be willing to pop it open to see which sensors it’s using? If anyone else is up for it I’d love to look into it a bit more, buy some sensors, bring a Raspberry Pi or two and spend an evening at a cafe or something and try to hack something together. Nothing too ambitious, but get started tinkering with it.

    I don’t think it uses the same sensor – the product page says it uses a “Shinyei” sensor and that it measures particles as small as 1um (the taobao sensor you linked to is Sharp).

    I’m interested also. I have a RPi with aluminum housing that I can devote to this.

    #43342
    Avatar photoniklas
    Participant

    I don’t think it uses the same sensor – the product page says it uses a “Shinyei” sensor and that it measures particles as small as 1um (the taobao sensor you linked to is Sharp).

    I’m interested also. I have a RPi with aluminum housing that I can devote to this.

    Cool. Thanks! Found that sensor: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.35.mBl7Hk&id=36574722528&ns=1&abbucket=20#detail

    Are you familiar with electronics? I know a bit, but would be great if there’s someone who know it better than I do would be part of this too.

    There’s a interesting post on measuring AQHI here: http://www.eightlines.com/blog/2009/06/air-quality-monitoring/
    Note that it’s for measuring AQHI and not AQI. Not really sure about the difference. There’s good info on what’s measured in China here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_quality_index#Mainland_China
    List of some relevant sensor products here: http://www.futurlec.com/Gas_Sensors.shtml

    #43343
    Avatar photoniklas
    Participant

    Just stumbled upon this related Kickstarter project with 54 hours to go. Almost successfully funded. Personally I’m not a fan though. $199 for a portable sensor that measures PM 2.5 only. I’d much rather have a Raspberry Pi or Arduino at home measuring AQI of the air outside my window.

    #43344
    Avatar photoCharlie
    Keymaster

    Are you familiar with electronics? I know a bit, but would be great if there’s someone who know it better than I do would be part of this too. There’s a interesting post on measuring AQHI here: http://www.eightlines.com/blog/2009/06/air-quality-monitoring/ Note that it’s for measuring AQHI and not AQI. Not really sure about the difference. There’s good info on what’s measured in China here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_quality_index#Mainland_China List of some relevant sensor products here: http://www.futurlec.com/Gas_Sensors.shtml

    I only have a basic understanding of electronics, but I spoke to a friend who has some experience with electrical engineering and he said him and a friend (with similar interests) are interested in cooperating on this. We should find a time to meet. I’ll send you a PM.

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/741031201/airbeam-share-and-improve-your-air Just stumbled upon this related Kickstarter project with 54 hours to go. Almost successfully funded. Personally I’m not a fan though. $199 for a portable sensor that measures PM 2.5 only. I’d much rather have a Raspberry Pi or Arduino at home measuring AQI of the air outside my window.

    I agree, looks expensive and like it’s meant for portable use, not a permanent installation.

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