Thesis
Analysis of spatiotemporal differences in PM2.5 exposure using a low-cost air quality monitoring network in Spokane, WA
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
05/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004269
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/125200
Abstract
PM2.5 is a criteria air pollutant that poses a risk to public health and is currently monitored and regulated using reference instruments by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These expensive instruments are too sparsely located to provide meaningful measurements of localized urban air quality. Low-cost air quality sensors are becoming increasingly available and can provide finer spatial resolution of PM2.5 monitoring. Spokane, WA experiences seasonal smoke pollution from summer wildfires, as well as wood burning stoves during stagnant winter conditions, and would benefit from increased PM monitoring of potential pollution hotspots. A network of low-cost PM2.5 sensors was developed, calibrated and deployed in ten elementary schools that represent a variety of geographic and socioeconomic factors within the Spokane Public Schools district. Data collected from September of 2019 to February 2021 were used to evaluate sensor performance and analyze both indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations. Air quality index thresholds, comparisons between site selection characteristics and average PM2.5 concentrations, and infiltration analyses were used to investigate potential inequities in student exposure to PM2.5. The low-cost PM2.5 sensors were shown to generally meet EPA guidelines for accuracy and, therefore, provided meaningful measurements for site comparisons. Measurable differences were found between sites, particularly during periods of elevated PM concentrations including historically high concentrations during wildfire events, although during typical conditions these differences were relatively small. With one exception, average site PM2.5 concentration was inversely related to distance to major freeways. Pearson correlations between indoor and outdoor concentrations demonstrated that significant amounts of outdoor PM2.5 infiltrated into schools. Filtration differed between schools, indicating that specific sites were more susceptible to elevated indoor PM2.5 concentrations. The inequity in air quality increased as the PM2.5 concentrations increased.
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Details
- Title
- Analysis of spatiotemporal differences in PM2.5 exposure using a low-cost air quality monitoring network in Spokane, WA
- Creators
- Matthew Steven Roetcisoender
- Contributors
- Von P Walden (Advisor) - Washington State University, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900896414401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis