Users of PurpleAir can toggle between real-time data and readings averaged over the last 10 or 30 minutes. The data comes from the commercial sensors the company sells, which members of the public install on porches, yards and other neighborhood sites.
How does PurpleAir get its readings?
PurpleAir uses the AQI breakpoints established by the US EPA to convert the mass concentration into the AQI published on the PurpleAir map. However, most regulatory groups report AQI as a 24-hour average that gets updated every hour or so.
Is PurpleAir data accurate?
For the national data set of sensors collocated with regulatory-grade monitors, results show that PurpleAir sensors, when corrected, accurately report NowCast AQI categories 90% of the time as opposed to uncorrected PurpleAir data, which are accurate only 75% of the time.
Why are PurpleAir readings so high?
PurpleAir’s website says its sensors may appear to “read high” in wildfire smoke conditions because the density of smoke particles differs from that of other airborne particles of similar size, affecting its calculations of particle concentration.
Why is AirNow and PurpleAir so different?
Why does the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map look different than the PurpleAir Map? … AirNow identifies potentially malfunctioning sensors based on a comparison of readings from the two fine particle sensors each PurpleAIr sensor contains, or from user reports.
Does PurpleAir have an app?
Although PurpleAir currently does not have an app, there is a free iOS app called Local Haze which supports PurpleAir’s monitors. The app detects the nearest sensor to you and displays some basic data for the PM2. 5 concentration in real-time.
Which Air Quality Site is most accurate?
Airnow.gov is the gold standard when it comes to knowing the precise measurement of pm 2.5.
How long do purple air sensors last?
The sensor is yours to keep! We ask that the sensor be installed for at least two years but we would appreciate it if you could keep the sensor plugged in for as long as possible.
What AQI is unhealthy?
An AQI over 150 is considered unhealthy for the general population. AQI over 101 can be unhealthy for sensitive groups and some workers with asthma and other conditions may feel unhealthy when the AQI is below 150.
What is the best air quality app?
- AirVisual. It is the key service in measuring, maintaining, and monitoring the air pollutants at the city level. …
- Breezometer. The users can stay away from lousy air by merely installing the Breezometer. …
- Plume Labs Air Quality. …
- Sh**t! …
- Air Matters.
How accurate is BreezoMeter?
By using sophisticated algorithms to calculate air pollution, BreezoMeter has quickly established itself as the world leader in hyper-local air quality data. The BreezoMeter API provides real-time information covering 5.5 billion people in 67 countries, accurate to within 300 meters.
Why should I buy a PurpleAir sensor?
Real-time air quality monitoring for people who care about the air. PurpleAir makes sensors that a community of citizen scientists use to collect hyper-local, real-time air quality data and share it on a map that is accessible to everyone.
Who started PurpleAir?
From his window in the PurpleAir offices in Draper, Utah, founder and CEO Adrian Dybwad has a view of a gravel pit.
Why are AQI readings so different?
Update frequency: It is possible that different sources update at different times. This can cause different locations to show different data – some current, some outdated. Update time is listed under the air quality reading on the AirVisual app – and can also be found on the US EPA (AirNow) website.
What’s the highest air quality?
| Daily AQI Color | Levels of Concern | Values of Index |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 101 to 150 |
| Red | Unhealthy | 151 to 200 |
| Purple | Very Unhealthy | 201 to 300 |
| Maroon | Hazardous | 301 and higher |
How do I download data from PurpleAir?
From the PurpleAir map, click the download button in the bottom right corner after selecting an area of interest. Or click on a sensor on the PurpleAir map, then mouse over the ‘Get this widget’ link. A download link will then be displayed for that individual sensor.