Exploring Air Quality Monitoring: A Podcast Interview with PurpleAir on Stacy on IoT

Air quality is a vital aspect of our daily lives, impacting our health, environment, and overall well-being. In the quest to understand and improve air quality, The Internet of Things recently featured an air quality podcast interview with Adrian Dybwad, CEO and founder of PurpleAir.  

In this blog, we delve into the key takeaways from this discussion about the importance of air quality monitoring and PurpleAir's contributions to air quality research worldwide. 

The Internet of Things Podcast with Stacey Higginbotham 

Hosted by Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel, The Internet of Things podcast is a beacon for tech enthusiasts, IoT aficionados, and anyone interested in the world of connected devices. Known for its in-depth discussions of IoT trends and innovations, The Internet of Things Podcast provides valuable insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of technology. 

PurpleAir Interview: How to Track Air Quality with PurpleAir Monitors 

In a recent air quality podcast episode, The Internet of Things Podcast featured Adrian Dybwad. During the interview, he shed light on the significance of tracking air quality, especially for regions prone to wildfires.  

“We are helping people in all sorts of ways, deciding when to go cycling, helping them know which direction to go during a catastrophe like a wildfire, and helping them manage their children’s asthma better. It’s our users that have put us here,” Dybwad explained, referring to PurpleAir’s success. “Everyone cares about air quality. Everyone wants to know what’s going on with it. And everyone wants to avoid poor air quality—funny enough, even people who smoke cigarettes.” 

With PurpleAir air quality monitors, individuals, communities, and organizations can access real-time air quality data. That way, they can make informed decisions to protect themselves and prioritize their health and well-being. 

Dybwad also addressed concerns about the accuracy of air quality monitors in general. For example, he explained that having a multitude of air quality monitors across various locations helps ensure data accuracy. PurpleAir's approach focuses on widespread air quality monitor deployment, offering a comprehensive view of air quality conditions. 

“Government sensors used by the EPA to measure air quality and record the results. Those are scientific instruments that are expensive, huge, and loud. And they require a lot of calibration,” Adrian Dybwad said. “[And while] the new generation of low-cost sensors are aimed at supplementing that data for everyday decisions, there is a lot of flashy marketing to attract buyers. So [everybody must] be careful and avoid getting a sensor that doesn’t perform well.” 

Moreover, Adrian Dybwad's insights into air quality monitoring extended beyond personal use. He discussed how PurpleAir's air quality monitors are instrumental in empowering communities to advocate for positive policy changes aimed at improving air quality.  

Having established PurpleAir air quality monitors as highly precise and low-cost, the company has been contacted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its air quality monitoring data. 

“Throughout PurpleAir’s history, we never set out to approach EPA. Instead, they came to us, and they formed a relationship over time. So, we were talking for a long time. All of that ended up with them saying, ‘okay, we’re going to consume the data.’” 

By providing accurate and accessible data, PurpleAir is contributing to citizen science, enabling individuals and communities to take targeted actions to mitigate air pollution. 

“I’ve had a PurpleAir sensor outside my home for two years now, and I love it. I love being able to tell the air quality at a glance. I love the fact that I’m contributing to a larger database of local air quality, and this is especially important because I live on the West Coast, and we’re in the wildfire season,” said Stacy Higginbotham. 

Air quality monitoring is a critical aspect of modern life, especially in the face of challenges like wildfires. The interview with Dybwad highlights how connected devices, like PurpleAir, contribute to citizen science and positive policy changes. By providing accessible and accurate air quality data, PurpleAir empowers individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and environment. 

PurpleAir Interview on The Internet of Things Podcast 

Listen to the entire podcast episode with PurpleAir CEO Adrian Dybwad below. By doing so, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of PurpleAir's mission and impact. Dybwad delves into the technical aspects of air quality monitors, their functionality, and optimal placement for accurate readings. 

 

Get Involved Yourself  

At PurpleAir, there are tons of community projects going on around the world. We’re thrilled to see these kinds of collaborative efforts, and we look forward to seeing plenty more in the future. Are you working on a community project with PurpleAir’s air quality monitors?  

We would love to hear about it. Share a post in the Community Project forum, so we can highlight your work. Together, we can make air quality accessible for everyone.