2025-09-16
03 Comments

Air Quality Monitoring System

The Raspberry Pi AQI Monitoring System is a smart IoT project designed to measure and monitor air quality in real-time. Using Raspberry Pi for data processing and cloud integration, along with Arduino Nano for sensor interfacing, it provides an effective way to track pollutants, ensure health safety, and build smart environmental monitoring solutions.

“Raspberry Pi + Arduino Nano makes air quality monitoring smarter, efficient, and IoT-ready.”

Why Choose Raspberry Pi for AQI Monitoring?

Real-time monitoring with cloud dashboards
Seamless integration with IoT platforms (ThingSpeak, Blynk, Node-RED)
Works with Arduino Nano for multiple sensor data collection
Supports Python, C++, and IoT frameworks
Low-cost, scalable, and energy-efficient

Key Features

Raspberry Pi as central IoT hub
Arduino Nano for MQ135, DHT11, and PM2.5 sensors
Wi-Fi / Ethernet for cloud upload
Data logging and visualization with Python scripts
Threshold-based alerts for poor AQI

System Overview

The Raspberry Pi AQI Monitoring System uses Arduino Nano to read sensors like MQ135 (CO?, NH?, Benzene), DHT11 (temperature & humidity), and PMS5003 (PM2.5). Data is sent to Raspberry Pi via serial communication for processing, cloud upload, and dashboard visualization.

Sensors Used

MQ135: Gas & CO? detection
DHT11/DHT22: Temperature & Humidity
PMS5003: PM2.5 & PM10 detection
Optional: OLED Display for live AQI

Quick System Specs

Microcontrollers: Raspberry Pi + Arduino Nano
Communication: Serial (UART) + Wi-Fi
Cloud Support: ThingSpeak / Blynk / Custom Dashboard
Data Logging: CSV & Real-time graphs
Power Supply: 5V (USB/adapter)

First Project: Display AQI Data

The basic project displays real-time air quality data on the serial monitor and optionally sends it to the Raspberry Pi for cloud upload.

Connections:

MQ135 ? A0 (Arduino Nano)
DHT11 ? D2 (Arduino Nano)
PMS5003 ? Serial RX/TX (Nano)
Arduino Nano ? Raspberry Pi via USB/Serial

Arduino Nano Code:

 #include <DHT.h>
#define DHTPIN 2
#define DHTTYPE DHT11

DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);
int mq135Pin = A0;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  dht.begin();
}

void loop() {
  int gasValue = analogRead(mq135Pin);
  float h = dht.readHumidity();
  float t = dht.readTemperature();

  Serial.print("Gas: ");
  Serial.print(gasValue);
  Serial.print(" | Temp: ");
  Serial.print(t);
  Serial.print("°C | Humidity: ");
  Serial.println(h);
  delay(2000);
}

Learning Outcomes:

Learn how to interface sensors with Arduino Nano
Send sensor data to Raspberry Pi for IoT integration
Understand AQI basics and pollutant thresholds
Visualize AQI data on cloud dashboards

Next Steps & Applications

After the basic AQI display, the system can be upgraded to cloud storage, web dashboards, and mobile apps. Advanced versions include air purifiers, smart alerts, and home automation integration based on AQI levels.

Get Started with Raspberry Pi at iTechBuilders

iTechBuilders provides Raspberry Pi kits, tutorials, and IoT mentorship for students, schools, and hobbyists. Whether you are starting from basics or building advanced environmental IoT projects, we offer DIY kits, workshops, and project guidance. Contact us to kickstart your AQI monitoring journey today!

Download PDF