From Sensors to Solutions: How a Data-Driven Approach Is Changing Local Environmental Monitoring in Ukraine

Abstract

In recent years, environmental monitoring has been rapidly shifting from episodic measurements to continuous, data-driven observation of the environment. According to analysts, the global market for environmental monitoring solutions is expected to grow from approximately USD 22.7 billion in 2024 to around USD 41.8 billion by 2034, while the number of connected environmental monitoring devices is projected to increase from 26.6 million to 89.5 million over the same period. At the same time, the segment of air quality control systems is developing, and by 2034, it may effectively double compared to 2024.

This article examines how these global trends are reflected in the practice of local environmental monitoring in Ukraine. Using the example of a family-run laboratory that has been completing at least 60 orders per month for more than eight years, it analyzes the transition from "point" measurements to a data-driven approach: digitalization of protocols, use of portable and stationary sensors, geographic information systems, and basic analytics. The influence of the war and the European development vector on requirements for environmental data, the role of international projects (such as the transfer of mobile mini-laboratories to the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine), and opportunities for integrating private laboratory data into a broader monitoring and research system are also discussed.

Keywords

environmental monitoring; Ukraine; air quality; noise; microclimate; IoT sensors; data-driven; private laboratory; war and environment; ScienceTimes

Introduction

The classical model of environmental monitoring was built around state observation stations and large industry laboratories. They measured background pollutant concentrations, analyzed industrial emissions, and assessed the condition of water bodies and soils.

Over the past decade, the picture has changed. Several processes are happening simultaneously:

• portable and stationary sensors are becoming cheaper and more accessible;
• the number of internet-connected environmental monitoring devices is growing (from 26.6 million devices in 2024 to a projected 89.5 million in 2034);
• the global market for environmental monitoring solutions is increasing from approximately USD 22.7 billion to around USD 41.8 billion by 2034;
• the segment of air quality monitoring systems (both outdoor and indoor) is also showing steady growth, nearly doubling by 2034.

Ukraine is experiencing these changes in a particular context. On one hand, there is a course toward alignment with European Union environmental standards and active participation in international research—particularly in the report of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre on the state of the environment and climate in the country. On the other hand, the war requires operational monitoring of war-related damage: in 2025, UNDP and Sweden transferred ten mobile mini-laboratories to the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine to assess the environmental consequences of armed conflict.

Against this background, local private laboratories are transitioning from a simple "come and measure" service to the role of providers of structured, comparable, and analyzable data.

1. The Global Shift to Data-Driven Environmental Monitoring

The growth of monitoring markets and air quality systems is more than just numbers in reports. They reflect a paradigm shift:

• from isolated "permit-based" measurements for reporting purposes — to continuous data collection;
• from reports in paper folders — to online dashboards and automatic alerts;
• from retrospective analysis — to attempts to predict risks and prevent incidents.

In urban settings, this is manifested through:

• networks of air quality sensors;
• noise maps of transport arteries and residential neighborhoods;
• monitoring of indoor microclimate in schools, offices, and hospitals;
• mobile mini-laboratories capable of rapidly responding to accidents and incidents.

A data-driven approach does not replace classical laboratory work but complements it, linking large-scale data (background stations, satellite observations) with the micro-world of specific rooms, courtyards, and production sites.

2. Ukraine: Between War-Related Damage and "Everyday" Environmental Issues

The technical report Status of Environment and Climate in Ukraine, prepared by European Commission experts, presents a complex picture: air quality problems in industrial regions, the impact of transport, and issues with water resources and forests. At the same time, it emphasizes the limitations and heterogeneity of data, especially at the local level.

The war adds new sources of pollution: destruction of industrial and municipal infrastructure, fires, use of generators, and changes in logistics and traffic flows. International projects, such as the UNDP and Sweden initiative providing mobile mini-laboratories to the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine, are intended to partially address this gap by enabling rapid documentation of war-related environmental damage and violations.

At the same time, "ordinary" urban environmental issues continue to concern citizens and businesses:

• noise from transport and commercial establishments;
• air quality in apartments, schools, and offices;
• water from wells and local supply systems;
• microclimate at workplaces.

It is precisely here that local private laboratories become the connecting link between global research and the everyday environmental challenges faced by people.

3. Family Laboratory as a "City Sensor"

A family-run enterprise, operating in the field of environmental measurements for eight years and serving at least 60 clients per month, can be considered a kind of "sensor" of the urban environment.

Typical tasks include:

• measuring noise in residential buildings and adjacent areas;
• assessing air quality and microclimate in offices, schools, clinics, and workshops;
• analyzing water from private wells and local supply systems;
• conducting comprehensive inspections of sites ahead of regulatory checks or legal disputes.

The transition to a data-driven approach is reflected in several aspects:

Digital Protocols. The laboratory moves from paper logs to electronic forms, recording coordinates, time, measurement conditions, instrument model, and calibration number.

Structured Databases. Measurement results are stored in a unified repository, allowing analysis of repeat visits, typical issues by district, and seasonal patterns of violations.

Georeferencing. Measurement points are mapped, providing a basis for "heat maps" of noise and air quality based on actual measurements rather than calculations.

Integration with Permanent Sensors. Where clients have installed stationary CO₂, temperature, or fine particulate matter sensors, laboratory measurements serve as calibration and verification points.

Thus, even a small laboratory begins to produce not only individual reports but also a dataset suitable for analysis, comparison, and inclusion in larger research projects.

4. Technological Stack for Local Monitoring

A data-driven approach relies not only on processes but also on technology. Key elements include:

Portable Professional Instruments. Sound level meters, gas analyzers, and devices for monitoring microclimate and water with verified metrology and regular calibration. These remain the foundation for legally significant measurements.

Stationary Sensors and IoT Nodes. CO₂, temperature, humidity sensors, and sometimes PM2.5 and PM10, installed in offices, schools, and clinics. They provide continuous recording, while the laboratory helps interpret data and calibrate equipment.

Cloud Services and Analytics. Data storage in the cloud and use of simple analytical tools for:

• creating "before/after" charts;
• identifying anomalies (sharp spikes in noise or pollutants);
• comparing different rooms and sites.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Mapping measurements, enabling visualization of problem concentrations in specific neighborhoods or along transport arteries.

Basic Elements of Machine Learning. At the level of a small laboratory, complex models are not used, but simple algorithms can:

• classify typical noise patterns;
• predict times of highest risk for exceedances;
• suggest when repeat measurements should be planned.

Importantly, this technological stack can evolve iteratively—from simple cloud storage and spreadsheets to dashboards and more advanced analytics as data and resources accumulate.

5. Urban Communities, Citizen Science, and Open Data

International experience shows that "citizen science" initiatives play a significant role in the development of environmental monitoring: residents install sensors, share data, and participate in local projects. For Ukraine, this model is particularly relevant:

• it helps cover "white spots" where there are no stationary monitoring stations;
• it strengthens trust in the data—people see measurements in their apartment, school, or on the street;
• it creates a basis for public discussions grounded in numbers rather than just emotions.

The role of a private laboratory in this system can be twofold:

Data Verification. Professional measurements are used to check and calibrate citizen sensor networks, distinguishing real signals from artifacts.

Methodological Support. Training schools, NGOs, and community groups in basic measurement principles: how to correctly place sensors, which parameters matter, and how to interpret graphs.

Accumulating such data linked to professional measurements creates a foundation for future scientific and applied research: from assessing the impact of transport on air quality to analyzing the effects of reconstruction and "green" projects on the microclimate of neighborhoods.

Conclusion

The global growth of the environmental monitoring and air quality control market, the projected increase in connected devices, and the efforts of international organizations to support monitoring in Ukraine create a unique window of opportunity.

Even a small family laboratory, serving 60+ clients per month, can become part of this new data-driven reality if it:

• records measurements in a structured digital format;
• uses georeferencing and simple analytics;
• links portable measurements with stationary sensors;
• participates in citizen science and open data initiatives;
• considers international standards and reports (WHO, EU, JRC, UNDP) when interpreting results.

In the context of war and the simultaneous movement toward European environmental standards, this approach transforms local monitoring from a "point-in-time call-out service"into an element of a broader system—one in which decisions about the city, infrastructure, and recovery are made based on data rather than assumptions.

References

1. Expert Market Research. Environmental Monitoring Market Report 2024–2034. Estimate: market growth from USD 22.71 billion to USD 41.84 billion by 2034.
2. Transforma Insights. Environment Monitoring: 89.5 Million Connected Devices by 2034. Forecast of monitoring devices growth from 26.6 million to 89.5 million in 2024–2034.
3. Zion Market Research. Air Quality Monitoring Market Size, Share & Trends Report 2034. Market estimate for air quality monitoring systems: USD 5.19 billion in 2024, USD 10.36 billion by 2034, CAGR ~7.3%.
4. Precedence Research. Air Quality Monitoring System Market Size and Forecast 2025–2034. Estimate: market growth from USD 5.82 billion to USD 12.06 billion by 2034, CAGR 7.56%.
5. European Commission, Joint Research Centre. Status of Environment and Climate in Ukraine. Technical Report, 2025.
6. UNDP Ukraine & Government of Sweden. Sweden and UNDP hand over 10 mobile mini-labs to boost Ukraine's capacity to assess war-related environmental damage. Press release, 28 Oct 2025.