Monitor Both Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality
The sensors and mapping tool from PurpleAir can help residents strategically use existing air filters.
In September 2020 there were roughly 10 days in a row in Portland, Ore., in which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Particulate Matter 2.5 microns (PM2.5) Air Quality Index (AQI) was over 500 due to wildfire smoke. To put that into perspective, PurpleAir recommends a PM2.5 AQI of under 50 to maintain “little or no risk” within 24 hours of exposure. When the air quality is that bad, you not only can see it, smell it, and taste it, but you can also feel it in your lungs, and it is scary.
In addition to air-sealing and avoiding using exhaust fans, I also added three HEPA-level air filters. Without a tool to measure our AQI, however, I resorted to simply running these air filters on high speed 24 hours a day for 10 days. This left me wondering not just how I could prevent particulate matter from entering my home, but whether I could measure any progress.
Since then, I’ve added PurpleAir Sensors both inside and outside my home. Now I can compare the indoor scores to outdoor air quality and understand when to manually turn up our various air filters. The sensor has revealed how much of a dramatic effect burning a single candle or meal can have on indoor air quality. The numbers are so staggering that it’s prompted us to stop burning candles entirely in favor of LED candles. PurpleAir sells four types of sensors that share many of the same capabilities but differ in some aspects, including indoor/outdoor use and LED colors.
While there are many products on the market that also offer AQI scores, the thing that makes PurpleAir unique is the free online map tool that anyone can access from anywhere to gather real-time data about their specific location. It is limited by the number of outdoor sensors in remote locations, but most populated areas have several to choose from and offer real-time data that local weather stations can’t compete with.
PurpleAir sensors offer the ability to instantly change the metric for AQI particulate counts to almost any metric used around the world instantly. They can also monitor temperature, humidity, and more. Pricing for the sensor starts at $200, but knowledge is power, and I commend the company for its free map tool that all can utilize regardless of income.
Photos are from the manufacturer.
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