Portable Air Monitoring Device Loan Program for Region 10 Tribes

• About the loan program
• Equipment available
• Training
• Contacts

About the loan program

EPA Region 10 has several low cost air sensors and portable air monitors available for use by Tribal air quality staff in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Tribes can use these 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 multiple sensors across a small geographic area.
• Devices are free to borrow.
• Equipment can be managed with little training and maintenance.
• Data can be made publicly available.

Equipment available

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). These gas monitors may be helpful for initial air monitoring inquiries.

Handheld particulate monitor

Handheld particulate monitor which gives real-time readings of particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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, colorimetric gas detection tubes change color in direct correlation to the concentration of gas present, allowing instant measurement of specific toxic and combustible substances. Although results are not as accurate or precise as using real-time instruments, results from these single-use tubes can be valuable when instrument cost and size, and needs for silence, on-site calibration, and electrical power are concerns. Colorimetric tubes may be particularly useful for surveys of indoor or outdoor air quality when identification of locations or in circumstances where average concentrations are particularly low or particularly high, and where demands for accuracy and precision are low.

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 EPA quality assurance protocol, 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, such as the Region 10 Sensor Loan Program to Rural Areas, visit air sensor loan programs.