The Climate Justice Group received a grant for five air quality monitors from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The PurpleAir Flex sensor measures levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in our community’s outdoor air. The state is making these grants to “identify areas where pollution levels might be higher and mitigation efforts can be directed to protect public health.” PM2.5 is emitted by fossil fuel powered airplanes, cars, trucks, and trains, residential heating, industry and wildfires. Breathing PM2.5 can aggravate asthma and contribute to other respiratory and cardio-pulmonary illnesses. People with heart or lung diseases, children, and older adults are the most likely to be affected by PM2.5 pollution exposure. More information on PM2.5 can be found here.
At the PurpleAir website, you can monitor the PM2.5 levels at the homes of some of our parishioners, the Senior Center, and the Martins’ house which will be moved to the church once the Green Envelope Project is finished. Search for the names in quotes in the list below with the magnifying glass in the purple band.
“Mapleave” is Anna Choi
“RT125” is Stephanie Harrington
“Jwyh Bradford” is the Halls’ house
“Mart-NP” is the Martin house until the netting comes off the church
“North Andover Senior Center”
For more information, email climatejustice@northparish.org