Ufam develops Qualiar-Ufam platform to monitor air quality

The Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam) has launched Qualiar-Ufam, a new system designed to monitor and predict air quality on an hourly basis. Developed by the Center for Environmental Sciences (CCA) and the University Campus Administration (PCU), the platform tracks conditions in Manaus and several other municipalities, including Itacoatiara, Parintins, Humaitá, Coari, and Benjamin Constant.

The system provides critical data to the university's Air Quality Commission to support institutional recommendations during periods of drought and increased forest fires. By integrating data from Qualiar-Ufam with the MONITOR_BETA system, the commission can analyze atmospheric conditions, including particulate matter levels, wind variation, humidity, and predicted rainfall.

According to Professor André Mendonça, director of the CCA, the platform utilizes a network of low-cost sensors. To ensure accuracy in the humid Amazonian climate, the system applies correction methods established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prevent the overestimation of pollution levels.