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IAQ25 / Presenters / Savinda Lekamge

Savinda Lekamge

Queensland University of Technology

Savinda Lekamge

About Savinda Lekamge

I am a final-year PhD candidate at the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH) in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. My research focuses on utilising low-cost sensors (LCS) for routine monitoring of indoor and outdoor PM2.5, with particular emphasis on understanding the effects of environmental parameters, such as relative humidity, on sensor measurements.

I hold a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, where I specialised in Environmental Technology and Management. My master’s thesis, titled “Simulation of Air Pollution Concentration in Different Urban Landscapes Using a Microclimate Model”, involved using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model ENVI-met to evaluate the impact of urban green space structures and configuration on ambient PM2.5 concentrations and meteorological parameters in an urban park in Bangkok.

I also hold a First-Class Honours degree in Environmental Conservation and Management from the Department of Zoology and Environmental Management at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. My undergraduate thesis, “Deriving Ecotoxicity Thresholds of Copper and Cadmium for Freshwater Life Protection Using the Species Sensitivity Distribution Approach”, led to one article in the Journal of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety and two conference papers.

Presentations at IAQ25

Presentation • Day 1 • 11:25am–11:50am

Dual-Function Smoke Alarms: Revolutionising Fire Detection with PM2.5 Monitoring for Improved Indoor Air Quality

Smoke alarms are mandatory in all spaces, making them a common component in buildings. This study explores integrating a low-cost PM2.5 sensor into existing photoelectric smoke alarms to create a dual-purpose device for smoke detection and air quality monitoring. Tests showed standard smoke alarms only respond to high particle levels (>5 mg/m³), making them unsuitable. Adding a Plantower PMS1003 sensor improved sensitivity. The system effectively tracks pollution while maintaining smoke detection, offering a cost-effective solution.