Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Bonnie Heiple announced her state will spend $775K on two programs to support deployment of new air sensors located at monitoring stations across the state. The new monitors will expand the available information for tracking local air quality and protecting public health. Massachusetts will share monitoring data in near real-time on the MassAir Online portal.
The Particulate Matter Air Sensor Grant Program will deploy 202 PurpleAir sensors that measure fine particulate matter (PM2.5), supplementing 248 sensors distributed in 2021. Data will display in real-time on the PurpleAir website and on U.S. EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map.
The Multi-Pollutant Sensor Pilot Program will allow the state to partner with 2-3 communities to deploy advanced air monitoring technology. The new monitors will include 40 black carbon sensors to characterize diesel emissions in areas of high levels of truck traffic and 50 multi-pollutant air sensors to measure PM2.5, carbon monoxide, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. The sensors will be placed in or near environmental justice populations on a pilot basis. Sensor data will inform strategies to reduce exposure to pollutants, inform future sensor placement, and expand awareness of local air quality conditions.
