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Performance Evaluations of PM2.5 sensors in Research Triangle Park, NC: PurpleAir PA-II-SD, Aeroqual AQY, Applied Particle Technology Maxima, Vaisala AQT420, Sens-it RAMP, and Clarity Node-S
Citation:
Frederick, S., K. Johnson, C. Johnson, R. Yaga, AND A. Clements. Performance Evaluations of PM2.5 sensors in Research Triangle Park, NC: PurpleAir PA-II-SD, Aeroqual AQY, Applied Particle Technology Maxima, Vaisala AQT420, Sens-it RAMP, and Clarity Node-S. To be Presented at EPA Air Sensors Brownbag, Research Triangle Park, NC, February 12, 2020.
Impact/Purpose:
In recent years, interest and concern about air quality has grown alongside the increasing popularity and use of air sensors across the United States. Despite increased interest in this technology, its adoption remains limited due to uncertainty and variation in the quality of data produced by various sensor models and among individual sensors of the same model. This work evaluates numerous low-cost air quality sensors at the Ambient Air Innovation Research Site (AIRS) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina to determine the accuracy and precision of pollutant data for individual devices within sensor models. This work seeks to provide meaningful information regarding the reliability of low-cost air sensor data when compared to regulatory methods.
Description:
Experience has shown significant variability in the performance of air sensors entering the consumer market making independent evaluation of sensor performance and accuracy of great importance for potential users. This presentation will discuss EPA evaluations of several air sensors at the Ambient Air Innovation Research Site (AIRS) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina including the PurpleAir PA-II-SD, Aeroqual AQY, Applied Particle Technology Maxima, Vaisala AQT420, Sens-it RAMP, and the Clarity Node-S. Multiple of each sensor model were deployed simultaneously in order to evaluate precision between sensors of the same type. Sensor measurements for PM2.5 were averaged to 1-hour intervals and were analyzed for accuracy against a Teledyne T640x, a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) for PM2.5. These results provide valuable information regarding the accuracy of these air sensors when compared to a regulatory method and will provide insights into their value for future air sensor work.