The purpleair monitors measure microscopic particles in the air to help track harm from air pollution. Generally, the smaller particles penetrate deeper into the lungs and have more severe effects. The particles of greatest interest in the monitor report , PM2.5, are shown by clicking on a location dot (like this one).

The unit measures them frequently and sends a report about every 90 seconds. These are the readings shown when clicking on the real time tab. Then the short-term average is every ten minutes, other tabs show one hour and 24 hour averages. You can’t actually breathe these averages but they’re handy for watching trends.

There is a temperature and humidity sensor in the monitor, but a known error skews the readings. The “Current Weather” link may provide better information from weatherunderground.com.

After an easy setup and config (I mean really easy!) the monitor is now producing live readings on the net.

See here for current readings, click on the dot. I’ll post soon on what the readings mean.

Installed and not hooked up to give live readings, see here. Click on the purple dot. Note the readings are NOT up-to-date.

And it’s testing fine, indoors and out. Tanalee Hesse of the Village of Hazelton offered the use of a Village building subject to IT approving. Also maybe the Storytellers’ Foundation across the street might host the unit. More news when we have it!

 

Right, an update on Thursday, 20 April 2017. We also have the place – Storytellers will host the unit and provide the wifi. We’re arranging the install date and planning a publicity event for June 6, Clean Air Day!

The BVLD Airshed Management Society and the Village of Hazelton are collaborating to make air quality readings public and useful.

This site is under development! Please contact us to find out more: coordinator@cleanairplan.ca.

We ordered the Hazelton’s first air quality sensor back in 2017 and made arrangements for installation and activation. Our thanks to the Storytellers’ Foundation for hosting the sensor!

• LIVE READINGS OF tiny smoke particle density – called PM2.5
• Live Readings of temperature – TEMP
• Find out how to get cash back for improving your air:
  • the Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program
• BVLD AMS – http://cleanairplan.ca                                                 
• and our first sensor host