Air pollution monitoring
Drone air quality surveys that map particulate matter and gases in real time, across large areas and at different heights.
Available Files: 2D & 3D Pollution Maps, CSV Data & Reports
PM2.5
& PM10 Detection
Multi
Gas Detection
Real
Time Mapping
3D
Pollution Maps
Air Pollution & Particulate Matter Surveys
Drone Site Surveys offers real-time air pollutant mapping using drones. Our sensors monitor particulate matter and a range of gases at the same time, helping you identify pollution sources and how they spread.
Flying a drone lets us scan large areas quickly and collect enough data for a full analysis of air quality across the site. Results are shown as 2D maps and 3D models, with concentration levels at different heights.
The data can be used for environmental monitoring, gas leak detection and emission monitoring, with raw data supplied for your own analysis.
Example Image Quality
Click each image to view example image quality
What Your Air Quality Survey Can Include
Choose the pollutants, area and outputs you need. Data can be collected by drone, vehicle or wearable sensor.
| Deliverable | What it is | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Particulate matter | Real-time detection of PM10 and PM2.5 across the survey area. | Standard |
| Multi-gas detection | Up to 9 gases and pollutants measured in a single flight. | Standard |
| 2D and 3D pollution maps | Grid, contour and 3D point cloud maps showing concentration levels. | Standard |
| Raw CSV data | Full data set for analysis in Excel, R or MATLAB. | Standard |
| Vehicle-mounted survey | Sensors fitted to a vehicle for town centres where flying is impractical. | Optional |
| Wearable sensors | Hands-free sensors for operatives approaching hazardous areas. | Optional |
| Vapour sampling | Physical air samples collected by drone for laboratory analysis. | Optional |
The gases we measure depend on the sensor set-up for your survey. Tell us what you need to detect and we’ll confirm the right configuration.
At a Glance
Capture
PM + multi-gas
Capture method
Drone, vehicle or wearable
Pilot network
Nationwide
Physical sampling
Optional
Scaffold needed
None
Coverage
Mainland UK
Get a Quote
Send us an address. We will come back the same working day with a price and a scope.
Why Clients Choose Drone Air Quality Surveys
Mapping air quality from the air gives a fuller picture than fixed monitoring. Clients benefit from:
Knowing the condition of your whole portfolio lets you mitigate risk, prioritise spending and act on real evidence rather than assumptions.
The result?
A clear picture of air quality across your whole site, showing where pollution is highest and where it’s coming from.
__ PM10 & PM2.5
Why particulate matter matters
Particulate matter is everything in the air that isn’t a gas. Particles 10 microns or smaller (PM10) can be breathed deep into the lungs, and fine particles of 2.5 microns or smaller (PM2.5) are linked to the greatest health effects of air pollution.
We deliver the data as clear, actionable information, so you can compare results against the workplace exposure limits in the HSE’s EH40/2005.
Pollution levels mapped, not guessed.
CAA
CAA Operational Authorisation 11363
Fully insured, with £10m public liability and specialist UAV cover
__ Why drones
Why use drones for air quality monitoring?
Fixed monitors only measure one spot. A drone maps air quality across a whole site, and at different heights, in a single survey, reaching areas that are hard or unsafe to access on foot.
- No one in harm’s way. Measure hazardous areas without sending people in.
- Whole-site coverage. Map air quality across the entire area, not just one point.
- 3D insight. See how pollutant levels change with height.
- Flexible capture. Drone, vehicle or wearable, depending on the site.
- Physical samples. Collect air samples by drone when laboratory analysis is needed.
Pollutant levels mapped across the whole area, at different heights.
Who we work with
Air quality surveys for industry, councils and consultants
We work with industrial operators, local authorities, environmental consultants and developers who need reliable data on air pollution and gas emissions.
Our service is suitable for
- ›Industrial and manufacturing sites
- ›Waste and recycling facilities
- ›Landfill sites
- ›Energy and utilities
- ›Ports and logistics
- ›Construction and demolition sites
- ›Town and city centres
- ›Local authorities
- ›Environmental consultants
- ›Agriculture
For environmental monitoring programmes, we can repeat surveys on a schedule to track changes in air quality over time.
__ Why choose us
Why choose Drone Site Surveys?
Drone Site Surveys specialises in professional survey and inspection data capture rather than general aerial photography.
Our pilots work specifically across commercial and domestic properties, as well as building, construction and land surveying environments. With experience in roof and façade inspections, they understand how to capture clear, relevant imagery that supports practical condition assessment, defect identification and informed decision-making.
Clients choose Drone Site Surveys for our specialist experience, professional standards and independent approach:
__ How it works
Our air quality survey process
From first enquiry to secure delivery, every survey follows the same six steps, so you always know what happens next and when.
Tell us about the property
Tell us about the site and what you need to measure. We’ll recommend the right sensors and whether to capture by drone, vehicle or wearable.
Planning and quote
We carry out a desktop assessment of the property and the surrounding airspace, check the survey against current UK drone regulations, and prepare your quote. You receive it by email with no obligation, along with the airspace map for your site and an example delivery so you can see exactly what you’ll be getting.
Booking your date
Once you’re happy with the quote we add your job to the schedule and start monitoring the Met Office forecast. In the meantime we prepare the pre-flight paperwork, including our risk assessment and method statement (RAMS), which we can send over for your records. As soon as we have a clear weather window and pilot availability, we confirm your attendance date. You don’t normally need to be on site.
The survey
Our CAA approved pilots fly a planned grid across the site, recording pollutant levels and position in real time, with physical samples collected if required.
Processing
The data is checked and turned into 2D grid, contour and 3D pollution maps, with the raw data supplied as a CSV file.
Delivery
We email you a link to our secure online portal, where your imagery, reports and any other agreed outputs are ready to view, download and share with your team or contractors. Alongside the deliverables you’ll find a folder containing the pre-flight paperwork, a copy of the drone airspace map for your site and any other relevant documents, so everything from the survey is in one place.
__ Request a Quote
Request an air quality survey quote
Whether it’s a single industrial site or a town centre, we can tailor the survey to the pollutants and area you need to cover.
Send us the address and a brief description of what you need, and we will come back with clear pricing and deliverable options.
Prefer to Speak to Us?
If you’d rather speak to one of the team, that’s no problem. Simply call the number below and one of our team will be more than happy to help.
Get a Quote
__ In The Know
Frequently Asked
Questions
Answers to the questions we are asked most often about air pollution and gas surveys. If yours is not covered here, give us a call.
What can a drone air quality survey detect?
Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and a range of gases, which can include ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, ammonia and methane, depending on the sensors fitted.
How many gases can you measure at once?
Up to 9 gases and pollutants in a single flight. We’ll confirm the right sensor set-up for your survey.
What is PM2.5?
Fine particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter. It can be breathed deep into the lungs and is linked to the greatest health effects of air pollution.
How is the data delivered?
As 2D grid, 2D contour and 3D point cloud pollution maps, with the raw data supplied as a CSV file for further analysis.
Can you survey where drones can’t fly?
Yes. We can fit sensors to a vehicle for town and city centres, or supply wearable sensors for operatives.
Can you collect physical samples?
Yes. Sample bags attached to the drone can collect air or gas samples over target areas for laboratory analysis.