Development and field validation of a community-engaged particulate matter air quality monitoring network in Imperial, California, USA

• DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2017.1369471
• Publication Date: 2017-08-22T20:30:16Z
• Authors: Graeme N. Carvlin; Humberto Lugo; Luis Olmedo; Ester Bejarano; Alexa Wilkie; Dan Meltzer; Michelle Wong; Galatea King; Amanda Northcross; Michael Jerrett; Paul B. English; Donald Hammond; Edmund Seto
• Keywords: Particle (ecology); Mass concentration (chemistry)

The Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Network was developed as part of a community-engaged research study to provide real-time particulate matter (PM) air quality information at high spatial resolution in County, California. network augmented the few existing regulatory monitors and increased monitoring near susceptible populations. Monitors were both calibrated field validated, key component evaluating data produced by community network. This paper examines performance customized version low-cost Dylos optical particle counter used compared with PM2.5 PM10 (particulate aerodynamic diameters <2.5 <10 μm, respectively) federal equivalent method (FEM) beta-attenuation (BAMs) reference (FRM) gravimetric filters collocation site area. A conversion equation that estimates mass concentrations from native counts, taking into account relative humidity. R2 for converted hourly averaged measurements versus BAM 0.79 0.78. evaluated six other sites collocated environmental (EBAMs) located throughout County. agreement EBAMs moderate (R2 = 0.35-0.81).The sensors networks is currently not well documented. provides methodology quantifying next-generation PM sensor Network. much finer temporal than has previously been possible government efforts. Once these high-resolution may more on populations, assist identification pollution hotspots, increase awareness pollution.