What's in Your Air?

Easy, Affordable Air Quality Monitoring Now Available

At the Climate Smart Task Force meeting in July, Air Quality Monitoring was the topic of discussion with a presentation from Sophia Roberts. She let us know that individual monitoring of local air quality is not only important but is also easy and affordable to do.

“Air quality monitoring involves observing the concentration of gas and particle pollutants in the air. One such type of pollutant that is often measured is fine particulate matter, with diameters of less than 2.5 micrometers (pm2.5). This type of particulate often comes from human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, wildfire emissions or from seasonal allergens.” The monitors do not distinguish the type of particulate.

Ms. Roberts also emphasized that, “Particulate Matter is very concerning because of its hazardous effects on human health. This includes • irritation of the lungs, nose, throat, and eyes • aggravation of pre-existing respiratory conditions • increased risk of heart attacks and irregular heartbeat • declined cognitive function and • neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias). For these reasons, it is important to have a large network of evenly distributed air quality monitors available for comprehensive assessment of air quality patterns.”

Installing a sensor on your own property can help you monitor the air quality most local to you. Various low-cost monitor options are now on the market allowing individuals to purchase and monitor their own local air quality. According to studies conducted by the Westervelt Aerosol Group, the accuracy of all of these monitors is comparable under the air quality conditions found in most of the Hudson Valley, especially when compared or validated against "gold standard" NYSDEC or USEPA monitors.

Here's a chart of low-cost monitors now available. By purchasing one of these monitors, you can be a part of citizen science by observing and collecting available air quality data of air you breathe every day*. Most of these units use an electrical outlet and a wireless Internet connection. Some have a solar power option.

*If you choose to have your sensor online it is automatically added to a page with all the other sensors and anyone can access the PM concentration data. Only the location and data is shared and should not be a privacy or security concern. Check out PurpleAir's real time data map!

Here's the map for air quality data from the afternoon of July 19, 2024 around Hurley, NY.