AAAR 37th Annual Conference October 14 - October 18, 2019 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
From Data Retrieval to Performance Evaluation: PurpleAir Sensor Collocation Across Phoenix, AZ
IAN VONWALD, Karoline Barkjohn, Sue Kimbrough, Ben Davis, Hirna Patel, Ira Domsky, Ron Pope, Andrea Clements, U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development
Abstract Number: 68 Working Group: Air Quality Sensors: Low-cost != Low Complexity
Abstract PurpleAir particulate matter (PM) sensors are becoming increasingly popular with non-expert and professional scientists for a variety of applications, such as personal exposure tracking and real-time source identification. However, there is some uncertainty in the data provided by these sensors, as their performance in different and extreme environments has not been thoroughly evaluated. In this study, PurpleAir sensors were studied at 3 regulatory monitoring sites in Phoenix, Arizona to understand the various sensor outputs, evaluate sensor performance, and explore the development of a local correction factor. At each monitoring site, at least 3 PurpleAir sensors were collocated with a Thermo Scientific TEOM between November 2018 and May 2019. A Teledyne T640x was also operated at 2 of the sites. Results including inter- and intra-site comparisons of PurpleAir sensors, comparison of sensors to reference monitors, and evaluation of impacts from extreme environmental conditions (e.g., high temperature and PM, low humidity) on sensor performance and correction will be presented. This work is the first step in a long-term project using PurpleAir sensors to explore the impacts of woodsmoke on particulate matter levels in Phoenix. This investigation will improve our understanding of PurpleAir sensors in new environments, help to streamline future analyses of sensor data by non-expert and professional scientists, and provide the basis for generalizing sensor evaluation and data correction to a national scale.
Although this abstract was reviewed by EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.