Portable Air Monitoring Device Loan Program for Region 10 Tribes
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About the Loan Program
EPA Region 10 has several portable air monitors available for use by tribal air quality staff in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Tribes can use portable air devices to monitor air quality and particulate matter pollution levels in elevated air pollution areas or during an increased smoke season, such as summer wildfire and winter wood smoke season.
Benefits include:
- Enabling tribal air quality program staff to deploy more sensors across a small geographic area.
- Collecting data with a finer resolution, over space and time.
- Smaller sensors now offer environmental data at a lower cost than traditional ambient air monitoring systems.
- Equipment can be managed with little training and maintenance.
- Devices are free to borrow.
Equipment Available
PurpleAir Sensors
The sensor measures fine particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, humidity, and pressure. The sensor setup requires a power plug-in and Wi-Fi connection. The sensor measurements are automatically uploaded to the manufacturer’s website. PurpleAir sensor data are not regulatory-quality and should only be used to generally interpret air quality.
Data from this sensor can be made publicly available through the AirNow fire and smoke map. This website automatically shows measurements from PurpleAir sensors that are registered as “public”. The website also automatically applies quality filtering and a bias correction. The map displays the sensor data as the Air Quality Index (AQI), an EPA-developed index for reporting daily (24-hour average) air quality and relating it to health effects. Visit Air Quality Index basics for more information on the AQI and how it works.
Having local PurpleAir monitor measurements on Airnow's fire and smoke map allows air quality staff to engage the public on PM levels and relate appropriate public health messaging. The fire and smoke map displays:
- Current particle pollution air quality information for your location.
- Fire locations and smoke plumes.
- Smoke Forecast Outlooks, where available.
- Recommendations for actions to take to protect yourself from smoke.
These recommendations were developed by EPA scientists who are experts in air quality and health.
Tribes may request to borrow up to three ambient air sensors for up to two years at a time. To borrow a sensor(s), tribes should submit a request outlining their air monitoring needs and how the requested equipment will meet those needs. The team will review requests based on their specific needs, loan periods, and availability of sensors. Region 10 has multiple PurpleAir sensors to lend on an ongoing basis.
Handheld Gas Monitor
Handheld gas monitors configured to detect and measure hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ammonia (NH3), and carbon monoxide (CO) in parts per million (ppm). One device is available that measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ppm, and another device measures VOCs in parts per billion (ppb).
Handheld Particulate Monitor
Handheld particulate monitor which gives real-time readings of particulate mater (PM10 and PM2.5 in µg/m3) as well as measuring carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in parts per million (ppm). The monitors have onboard memory, so measurements can be downloaded and stored for later use on a computer. Suitable for ambient monitoring where dust or wood smoke are a concern and can be used as a companion to the gas monitors when CO2 should be measured along with other gases.
Colorimetric Tubes
Used in conjunction with a hand-pump, the single-use colorimetric gas detection tubes change color in direct correlation to the concentration of gas present, allowing instant measurement of specific toxic and combustible substances.
Handheld Weather Monitor
Easy-to-use handheld weather station measuring temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction, along with several other weather parameters.
Training
The equipment can only be used by tribal air staff trained in the Quality Assurance Project Plan, standard operating procedures, and data collection methods.
EPA's tribal air team will work with interested tribal air staff to determine when, where, and which air monitoring device would best meet their specific need.
Contacts
If you have questions or would like to request a monitor for your tribe, please contact:
- India Young (young.india@epa.gov),206-553-1219.
- Althea Godfrey (godfrey.althea@epa.gov), 206-553-1604.
For more information about EPA's sensor loan programs, visit air sensor loan programs.