- Title: Polish scientists develop pollution-detecting drones.
- Date: 4th November 2016
- Summary: KATOWICE, POLAND (NOVEMBER 3, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF POLLUTION-DETECTING DRONE TEST IN PROGRESS CLOSE UP OF REMOTE CONTROL CLOSE UP OF DRONE VARIOUS OF ENGINEER MONITORING DRONE (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) CENTRAL MINING INSTITUTE DOCTOR, ADAM SZADE, SAYING: "This gives us the ability to measure the main parameters that come from low emissions and are a threat to the environment. This is mostly dust, especially inhalable dust particles, because they represent a basic threat to our health." DRONE POLLUTION MEASUREMENT GEAR ON DISPLAY INLET TO ASPIRATOR SENSOR INLETS FOR DUST AND GAS (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) ENGINEER, MARCIN FISIOR, SAYING: "Here are the inlets to the aspirator chamber and here are the inlets to the test chamber with laser sensors. So, first the aspirator and sensors suck the smoke into their respective chambers. Next, laser sensors analyse our samples and the microprocessor calculates all results and sends them through the transmission system to our server." ENGINEER SHOWING SENSORS DOCTOR ADAM HAWERLA TALKING WITH JOURNALIST POLLUTION MAP MAP SHOWING RANGE OF DUST EMISSIONS FROM COAL HEAP (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) CENTRAL MINING INSTITUTE DOCTOR, ADAM HAWERLA, SAYING: "So far, the measurements usually were performed in places theoretically representative of a large area. Unfortunately, very often, weather conditions or exposure to buildings around a location have blurred measurements or hindered interpretations. With the drone we can make the measurement at any place and at any time."
- Embargoed: 19th November 2016 11:13
- Keywords: Poland pollution drones
- Location: KATOWICE AND BYTOM, POLAND
- City: KATOWICE AND BYTOM, POLAND
- Country: Poland
- Topics: Information Technologies / Computer Sciences,Science
- Reuters ID: LVA00157140FT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Polish engineers developed what they call a "flying laboratory" - a drone-based platform to test air pollution in one of Poland's most polluted areas.
Dust, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide concentrations can be measured remotely through the device, which engineers at the Central Mining Institute in Katowice say delivers very accurate information as it can measure even the smallest concentration of pollutants in the air normally invisible to the naked eye.
One of its designers, Doctor Adam Szade, told Reuters it was an innovative way to fight health threats.
"This gives us the ability to measure the main parameters that come from low emissions and are a threat to the environment. This is mostly dust, especially inhalable dust particles, because they represent a basic threat to our health," he said.
"First the aspirator and sensors suck the smoke into their respective chambers. Next, laser sensors analyse our samples and the microprocessor calculates all results and sends them through the transmission system to our server," engineer Marcin Fisior described how a prototype of the device works.
Air pollution in Poland is felt particularly in the south near ski resort towns such as Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains where homeowners often neglect environmental rules.
The use of coal and, sometimes, garbage to heat houses makes Poland's air the most polluted in Europe, according to local government data.
Poland is facing a case at the European Court of Justice for its slowness to address the issue of poor air quality caused by extensive coal-burning in homes which makes the country's air the most polluted in Europe and poses a major risk to public health.
The environment ministry acknowledges the problem but says the situation is gradually improving with modernization of heating systems and other energy-efficiency measures for homes.
Scientists are now working on making the mobile lab prototype smaller so that it can be carried by smaller drones.
Doctor Adam Hawerla said the advantage of using drones was especially notable when measuring in adverse situations.
"Unfortunately, very often, weather conditions or exposure to buildings around a location have blurred measurements or hindered interpretations. With the drone we can make the measurement at any place and at any time," he said.
Around 400,000 people per year die prematurely across the European Union because of pollution, the European Commission says. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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