Pilot measuring wood smoke

Wood smoke leads to nuisance in the whole country. Waag Futurelab, together with residents, Omgevingsdienst IJmond and TNO, is investigating whether we can measure wood smoke with sensors. This research is part of Hollandse Luchten (Dutch Skies), a project in which residents measure air quality with sensors.

TNO developed a sensor to measure soot. Soot can act as an indicator of wood smoke. Soot is released during incomplete combustion, of wood in a fireplace, fire baskets or any other form of fire. Within the Wood Smoke Measurement Pilot, TNO is validating its soot sensors in collaboration with the Hollandse Luchten group in IJmond, Waag Futurelab and Omgevingsdienst IJmond.

The Hollandse Luchten group IJmond helps in choosing the locations of the sensors, manages the sensors and includes the results of the measurements in their data analyses. By involving residents in the IJmond region in the research on wood smoke, they get a better grip on the issue. The soot data will also become visible on the Hollandse Luchten map.

Waag Futurelab's work focuses on connecting the TNO sensors to the technical and social infrastructure of Hollandse Luchten.

About Hollandse Luchten


In the project Hollandse Luchten, residents measure air quality with sensors. It is a form of public research; residents have a central role in the research. They measure with sensor kits, formulate measurement questions and analyse the data. The data is used to start a dialogue between citizens, data analysts, health experts, citizen science experts and government agencies. Together, they analyse the data and work together towards a healthy living environment.

Since its the start of Hollandse Luchten, Waag Futurelab has contributed to setting up and maintaining both the technical and social infrastructure. Waag shares its expertise in citizen science, participation and open technology, among other things, in the meetings and various thematic working groups.