How would you like to host a Purple Air Sensor?
Become a part of the growing (worldwide) public-based Air Monitoring community
The Birth of Community-Based Air Monitoring
In the past five to eight years, Purple Air units have helped start the Community based air monitoring group movement. With its low cost (compared to regulation air monitoring units), its installation ease, and its quick WiFi setup and website registration process, Purple Air has inspired tens of thousands of everyday people (not scientists) to collect air data. The more air data that is collected, especially in areas where Air Agency monitors are not located, help agencies like Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, and California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) develop more accurate and defined area air pollution designations.
What is a Purple Air (PA) Sensor?
This is the Purple Air unit. These sensors are low-cost air monitoring sensors that use two laser particle counters to provide real-time measurements of particulate matter (PM) as well as temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity. It is around three and a half inches in diameter and height (without the attachment elbow). The unit weighs twelve ounces (3/4 of a pound) or about as much as two softballs. The two blue air collection sensors are on the bottom and open to the air. As the air moves past the blue sensors, a laser beam shines down and collects the number of particulates in the passing air column. PurpleAir uses PMS5003 and PMS1003 laser particle counters to count suspended particles in sizes of 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 microns (µm). These counts are then processed through the sensor to calculate the PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 mass concentrations measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). A memory card saves the data and averages it every two minutes. About every ten minutes, using Wi-Fi, this saved data is transmitted to the Purple Air website where it is saved and can be viewed.
What is a PM2.5?
The Purple Air units the Campo Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) purchased measure PM2.5 (µm/m³). PM2.5 are particulate matter (PM) particles that are 2.5 micrometers (µm) or smaller within a meter square (m³) of air. There is a PM2.5 limit. The EPA has determined that PM2.5 levels should not be higher than 35(µm/m³) within any twenty-four hour period. The PM2.5 size of particulate can enter the cells of the lungs and be harder for the body to remove than larger particulates that can often be coughed out. PM can either be a solid (dust, salt, dirt, sand, ash, or pollen), or a vapor (water attached to a solid particulate). The EPA created image (è) shows the PM level sizes in relation to a human hair and beach sand. The human eye cannot see the PM2.5 size. Long-term exposure to high levels of PM2.5 can create or aggravate existing lung issues such as asthma, emphysema, restricted lung disease, and make heart conditions more taxing for affected individuals.
Our Plan
The Campo Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) is in the planning stages of testing out a new air quality monitoring program using PurpleAir PA-II-SD sensors. As part of this plan, CEPA will deploy five real-time PurpleAir sensors distributed throughout the reservation to monitor air quality for continuous PM2.5 and to identify areas of high, medium and low impact during during wildfires and high dust events. In addition to collecting data from areas that have no previous air quality monitoring information and comparing it to CEPA’s existing air station equipment, the Campo EPA has plans to use these sensors to help develop community air quality awareness...but here's where we need YOUR help!
Why should I host a Purple Air Site?
There are no air agency air monitors between Alpine and El Centro, California. CARB bases the air pollution designation for the area between Alpine and El Centro on the Alpine’s CARB station. Alpine’s air does not represent the various environmental, topographic and elevation changes through the Laguna and Jacumba Mountain ranges. Having Purple Air units in these mountain ranges will be the start of gathering additional data that could help to change the air designations where Campo and other neighboring tribes and communities live. It also would be a good way to see what the Air Quality is at your house, and at the other Campo host homes. Knowing the Air Quality will make it easier to determine what level of outdoor activity should take place.
What is needed from me to host?
The unit’s life can be extended from 1-2 years to 2-3 years if it is secured under the eve of a house, or a porch. Protecting the unit from the direct sun keeps the unit cooler. This will produce a more accurate reading as the PM reading is affected by the outside temperature and the barometric pressure readings (both captured in the unit). There must be a working WiFi connection at the location. The PA unit has a fifteen-foot cord so it will need to be located near the socket. The unit must stay plugged in, so the socket should only house the PA unit.
How much time will hosting take?
Generally, it will take a few minutes each day to check on the unit’s physical health.
What will it cost me?
Nothing. CEPA has already purchased the units. They will install and maintain the unit, collect the data from the website and from the unit itself if the Wi-Fi goes out at your location.
What do I have to do when I host?
You need to do the following:
• Let CEPA know when your Wi-Fi is down
• Check the unit daily (glance up at it) and clear away any litter, cobwebs, bugs, or stuff from around it.
• Look up into the unit from the bottom and let CEPA know if the interior red light is not on.
• Make sure the unit stays plugged in.
• Keep water away from the socket area
What will I see when I look at the data on the PA website?
You will see the current PM count and the Air Quality Index (AQI) rating for your location. The AQI box will show the level color, explain the level’s activity recommendations, and give past readings over a variety of timeframes. The graph will show up to four days of past continuous data. By clicking on the many legend labels at the bottom of the graph, you can choose what data will be highlighted in the graph, making it easier to read.
So...
If you have questions or would like to sign up to become part of the growing worldwide air monitoring community, call the CEPA office at 619-378-5072, and speak to Robert or Linda. To get started, completely fill out the application form and return it to the Campo EPA office at 36190 Church Road, Suite #4, Campo, CA 91906 as soon as possible.