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Where are they found?
Non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) are mainly emitted by anthropogenic sources related to energy and transport, such as combustion from gasoline and diesel engines, industrial boilers, traffic, refineries, petrochemical plants, port terminals and service stations. In addition, they are generated during forest fires and agricultural biomass burning, and to a lesser extent by natural sources such as vegetation and organic matter decomposition.
These emissions accumulate in urban, transport and industrial areas, and can disperse on a large scale, contributing to regional air pollution.
Why are they harmful?
Many NMHC are toxic or carcinogenic and can cause respiratory irritation, headaches and neurological effects, posing chronic health risks. Photochemically, they are key precursors of tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosols, which worsen smog and PM2.5 episodes.
Furthermore, the ozone generated damages vegetation, reduces crop yields, degrades ecosystems and contributes to climate change. The most severe episodes occur in cities and industrial hubs during heat waves and atmospheric stagnation, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
NMHC cartridge
The NMHC cartridge incorporates a new state-of-the-art sensor designed for applications requiring reliable and affordable monitoring of non-methane hydrocarbons.
The Kunak algorithm corrects the effects of temperature and humidity, enabling accurate measurements from very low concentrations (ppb) up to 5 ppm. Its compact design, cost-effectiveness and cutting-edge performance make it an ideal solution for continuous monitoring and leak detection.
Technical specifications
| Type | N. A. |
| Unit of measurement | µg/m3, ppb |
| Measurement range (1) | 0–5,000 ppb |
| Resolution (2) | 1 ppb |
| Operating temperature range (3) | -30 to 60 °C |
| Operating RH range (4) | 10 to 99 %RH |
| Recommended RH range (5) | 15 to 90 %RH |
| Operating life (6) | > 2 years |
| Guarantee range (7) | 30 ppm |
| Limit of Detection (LOD) (8) | 5 ppb |
| Repeatability (9) | 6 ppb |
| Response time (10) | < 120 sec |
| Typical accuracy (12) | — |
| Typical precision R2 (11) | — |
| Typical slope (11) | — |
| Typical intercept (a) (11) | — |
| DQO - Typical U(exp) (13) | — |
| Typical intra-model variability (14) | < 3 ppb |
- Measurement range: Concentration range measured by the sensor.
- Resolution: Smallest unit of measurement that can be indicated by the sensor.
- Operating temperature range: Temperature interval at which the sensor is rated to operate safely and provide measurements. In the PM sensor Type A: -40 to 50 °C with heater (more information on this version on request).
- Operating RH range: Humidity interval at which the sensor is rated to operate safely and provide measurements.
- Recommended RH range: Recommended relative humidity range for optimal sensor performance. Continuous exposure outside the recommended range may damage the cartridge.
- Operating life: Time period during which the sensor can operate effectively and accurately under normal conditions.
- Guarantee range: Concentration range covered by Kunak's guarantee.
- LOD (Limit of Detection): Measured at laboratory conditions at 20 °C and 50% RH. The limit of detection is the minimum concentration that can be detected as significantly different to zero gas concentration, calculated according to the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660.
- Repeatability: Measured at laboratory conditions at 20 °C and 50% RH. Closeness of the agreement between the results of successive measurements of the same measurand carried out under the same conditions of measurement, calculated according to the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660.
- Response time: Time needed by the sensor to reach 90% of the final stable value.
- Typical precision – R2, slope and intercept: Statistics obtained between the device hourly measurements and reference instruments in field tests between -10 to +30 °C at different locations. For the type B PM sensor, the expected error for PM10 is higher in the presence of coarse particles.
- Typical accuracy: For criteria pollutants, this is the average Mean Absolute Error (MAE) obtained between the device hourly measurements and reference instruments for 1 to 8 months of field tests between -10 to +30 °C in different countries. For other pollutants, it is the expected error of the measurement at the reading.
- DQO - Typical U(exp): Data Quality Objective expressed as the Expanded Uncertainty in the Limit Value obtained between the device hourly measurements and reference instruments for 1 to 8 months of field tests between -10 to +30 °C in different countries, calculated according to the European Air Quality Directive 2024/2881 and the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660. For the type B PM sensor, the expected error for PM10 is higher in the presence of coarse particles.
- Typical intra-model variability: Calculated as the standard deviation of the three sensor means in 1 to 8 months of field tests between -10 to +30 °C in different countries.
A, B, C, D superindex: The super indexes refer to different types of cartridges related to the same target pollutant but with different technical specifications.
