SAFE Air for
Everyone
FAQs:
Q: What are the goals for the project?
A: Our goal is to provide communities in the Baduwa’t (Mad River) and Klamath River Region with useful real-time air quality data and the knowledge needed to make data useful for supporting better health and other community goals.
Q: Time length for data collection?
A: This project has been funded for a period of two years. We’d like to collect data for at least a year from each deployed sensor, but the deployed sensors may continue to support the existing Fire and Smoke and PurpleAir networks for five years or more.
Q: Who is working on the project/ who are the partners?
Blue Lake Rancheria, Karuk Department of Natural Resources, and Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt are working on the SAFE (Safe Air for Everyone) project to improve air quality monitoring in our region, especially in areas affected by wildfires.
Q: Who will benefit from PurpleAir sensors?
A: PurpleAir engages with people through community science by enrolling “the public into projects that promote scientific knowledge and environmental awareness” (PurpleAir: Community Scientists) as well as providing real-time air quality data to keep individuals, families, schools, communities, etc. aware of their air quality.
Q: What do PurpleAir sensors measure?
A: “PurpleAir sensors measure particulate matter between 0.3μm and 10μm in diameter…these particle measurements are used to infer the mass concentrations of PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 for standard indoor and outdoor atmospheric particles”. They also measure the temperature, humidity, and pressure of the sensor. (PurpleAir: Sensors)
Q: What does the air sensors do?
A: Air Sensor: The sensor measures the air quality using a laser that counts the number of particles in the air (PM2.5). It also measures temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, and volatile organic compounds(VOC). The PM2.5 measurements are for smoke (wildfire, prescribed fire, woodstove, etc).
Q: What is the PurpleAir map?
A: Data from public PurpleAir sensors are represented on the PurpleAir map. The colors of individual sensors “indicate the real-time PM2.5 reading on the US EPA Air QualityIndex scale” (PurpleAir: Map)
Q: I’m interested in hosting. How much time will I need to devote to this responsibility?
A: PurpleAir sensors require very little effort and time to set up and maintain. Including initial setup and maintenance, hosting shouldn’t take more than 1 hour of your time per year. Project staff are happy to assist with any issues that arise.
Q: My PurpleAir sensor isn’t working! What should I do next?
A: Most issues are related to power or Wi-Fi and are easily resolved. First ensure the power cord is all the way plugged in (at both ends). Next, check that the sensor is still connected to Wi-Fi, and reconnect as needed. Please visit here for advice.
Q: What happens if the power/ Wi-Fi goes out?
A: In most situations, the user does not have to do anything! The sensor will reconnect to power and remain online. If the sensor does not appear back on the PurpleAir map the Wi-Fi may need to be reset. There are several ways to do this by following the instructions on the PurpleAir website. Keep in mind that the WiFi range is typically about 100 feet.
Recommendation: “Prior to mounting your sensor, use a Wi-Fi-enabled device to test your Wi-Fi’s signal strength at the potential installation location” (PurpleAir: Sensors Overview)
Q: What is the life expectancy of the PurpleAir devices?
A: Approximately 2 years
Q: How much power does a PurpleAir sensor draw?
A: PurpleAir sensors use a small amount of electricity. Approximately 1 watt, costing roughly $0.25 a month.
“PurpleAir sensors run on 5 volts and the current draw is 180mA. This means the power consumption of a sensor is about 1 watt. If running the sensor 24 hours per day, the daily consumption would be [approximately] 0.024 kWh” (PurpleAir: Power) This is about $0.25 per month.
Q: Does it have 5G, a microphone, electrolysis, or any other unexpected invasive technology?
A: It does not contain any of these technologies.
Q: Who will see the data/have access to the data? Can others see my data?
A: The data will appear online on the PurpleAir map. The location of the sensor can be placed far from the house/building to avoid foot traffic and theft.
Q: Why does the device appear on my Wi-Fi network options?
A: The sensor allows you to see instantaneous measurements that cannot be downloaded. This is also the way it is possible to set up for Wi-Fi connection if someone wanted to.
Q: What does a host need to provide?
A: Wi-Fi and Power.
Q: What are the specific areas of interest?
A: We are looking to deploy air quality sensors in the Klamath (including the Trinity) and Baduwa’t (Mad River) watersheds.
Q: What kinds of Data is the KRAM team trying to collect?
A: Our team is working to collect data that is relevant to the health and wellbeing of those communities in the Klamath and Baduwa’t watersheds. We are seeking to provide the types of data that people in these communities care about and are interested in seeing. Air quality data, specifically pm 2.5 data, mostly smoke particulate is what we are trying to provide.
