The Quabbin Health District announced on Mar. 30 that it has received a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to install PurpleAir sensors in several communities, including Belchertown, for one year. These sensors will measure levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in outdoor air.
The initiative is important because PM2.5 consists of very small solid particles and liquid droplets that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and may enter the bloodstream. PM2.5 is considered a primary pollutant due to its size, persistence, and widespread presence from sources such as vehicles, industrial emissions, wildfires, agricultural burning, and household activities.
According to the announcement, common manmade sources of PM2.5 include motor vehicle combustion, power plant emissions, industrial processes, stoves and fireplaces used for wood burning, smoke from fireworks, and tobacco smoking. Short-term exposure to high levels of these particles can cause throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Long-term exposure may lead to more serious health issues such as heart disease or lung disease—including bronchitis—premature death among people with pre-existing conditions, non-fatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma symptoms, decreased lung function or increased respiratory symptoms. Children as well as older adults are especially at risk.
The PurpleAir sensors use laser particle counters to measure concentrations of different particle sizes (PM1.0; PM2.5; PM10). Data collected by these sensors is automatically reported online via the PurpleAir website and also appears on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Fire and Smoke Map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Real-time data can be viewed by searching for “Belchertown” at https://www2.purpleair.com.
Sensors have been installed at Belchertown Town Hall; Pelham Public Safety Building; and Ware Town Hall where they will operate until March 1 next year collecting air quality data.
