PurpleAir PM2.5 performance across the U.S.#2

Abstract

Interest and concern about air quality has grown in recent years. Simultaneously, growth in the popularity and use of air sensors across the US has also occurred especially during wildfires. However, adoption of this technology is limited due to uncertainty and variation in the quality of the data provided. This work evaluates the performance of a popular low-cost PM2.5 sensor (PurpleAir) across the U.S.. It seeks to inform sensor users of potential data accuracy issues and potential correction methods applicable to both this sensor and other similar low-cost sensors during typical ambient and smoke impacted events. This presentation will be given to the U.S EPA AirNow team and the U.S. Forest Service on February 3rd to allow them to better understand how to use PurpleAir sensors to understand wildfire smoke impacts.