An EPA-funded collaborative project administered by GASP with our partners at CREATE Lab, Allegheny Clean Air Now, Valley Clean Air Now, Clean Water Fund, and Protect Elizabeth Township
Project Purple Air Monitors Grouped by Facility of Interest
Monitors placed and maintained by GASP
Monitors placed and maintained by ACCAN
Monitors placed and maintained by PET
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Monitors placed and maintained by VCAN
Note: This project is currently underway, and project partners are still in the monitor placement and installation phase. Monitors will be added to this page as additional devices are installed. Also, while this project is utilizing Purple Air monitors primarily for PM2.5 data, we are also deploying S-Pods in each of the four target areas to sample VOC plumes. More information about VOC trends will be published in data reports and presented in community meetings.
Facility of Interest: Lindy Paving
Project Partner: Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP)
These monitors are located throughout the targeted area. See map.
Facilities of Interest: Neville Chemical & Metalico
Project Partner: Allegheny Clean Air Now (ACCAN)
These monitors are located throughout the targeted area.
Facility of Interest: US Steel Clairton Coke Works
Project Partner: Valley Clean Air Now (VCAN)
These monitors are located throughout the targeted area.
Facility of Interest: Synthomer
Project Partner: Protect Elizabeth Township (PET)
These monitors are located throughout the targeted area.
Why are Purple Air readings often different from AirNow (the official AQI)?
Purple Air and AirNow are not measuring the exact same thing. One difference is that Purple Air monitors are showing real-time, localized data. Two Purple Air monitors on the same street may show slightly different readings, even for the same pollutant. Purple Air monitors are commercially available and privately owned, which means their owner is responsible for any maintenance and for placing them in a good spot (for example, not right next to a backyard grill or a dryer vent).
Meanwhile, AirNow uses their NowCast algorithms to show a “current” AQI number for whichever pollutant is higher at the moment: particulate matter or ozone. AirNow is pulling data from the best-available sensor technology maintained by local regulating agencies and the EPA.
Purple Air Map
This is Purple Air's real-time map showing all active monitors, not just the ones installed and monitored as part of this project.
This project focuses on communities affected by the following facilities:
Synthomer Chemical Resins
Clairton Coke Works
Neville Chemical
Metalico Pittsburgh
Lindy Paving
The project will create an expanded monitoring network and air sampling system, resulting in more detailed information about VOCs consistently present in air pollution plumes, and PM trends in the region. Data generated from the project will offer stakeholders and exploratory data set to better understand air pollution exposure and patterns.
For a more complete map of polluting facilities in the area, see our Air Permits Clearinghouse.
Project Partners
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