PurpleAir sensors compared against the Federal Reference and Equivalent Methods (FRM and FEM) in Northwest Indiana

Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Christopher Iceman

College

College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

Discipline(s)

Environmental Chemistry

ORCID Identifier(s)

Abraham Orozco: 0009-0008-5796-2952. Emma Bollech: 0009-0003-3671-6174

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-30-2026

Abstract

The quality of the air that we breathe has tremendous impacts on human health; poor air quality can lead to short-term eye, nose, and throat irritation, and long-term chronic respiratory conditions. Not all air sensors are calibrated to measure metrics the same, and this study will compare values across air sensors via the PM2.5 air quality standard against the EPA Federal Reference Method (FRM) using correlation functions. Particulate matter – which can come from dust kicked up on roads from cars, vehicle exhaust, wildfires, industrial site emissions, and more – is measured by PurpleAir and EPA sensors located across Northwest Indiana. Due to discrepancies between standardized air sensors and PurpleAir instruments, we are evaluating the accuracy of our measurements against industry standard air sensors from filter depositions and light scattering Federal Equivalent Methods (FEM). Understanding air quality and pollution metrics indicate potential hazards, in attempts to better measure the health of communities airshed and indirectly its’ individuals.

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