Portable Air Monitoring Device Loan Program for Region 10 Tribes
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
PurpleAir sensors
This device measures fine particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, humidity, and pressure. The sensor setup requires access to an electrical outlet and a password-protected 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.
The sensor measurements are automatically uploaded to the PurpleAir sensor website. Data from this sensor can be made publicly available through the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, a website that displays publicly available PurpleAir data. The AirNow Fire and Smoke Map website also automatically applies quality assurance filtering and corrects measurement bias. 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 map displays:
- Current particle pollution air quality information for your location.
- Fire locations and smoke plumes.
- Smoke 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 five ambient air sensors for up to two years at a time. To borrow a sensor(s), Tribes should email one of our program contacts listed below.
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 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, 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.