The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is offering this competitive grant opportunity for municipalities across the state to receive, at no cost, between five and ten PurpleAir sensors to measure levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in their communities' outdoor air for at least one year.
PM2.5 is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets so small that they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and may even enter the bloodstream. Breathing PM2.5 can aggravate asthma, and contribute to other respiratory and cardio-pulmonary illnesses.
With sensors provided through this grant program, municipalities can:
MassDEP has allocated $200,000 for the purchase of PM2.5 sensors and will distribute them to qualifying cities and towns through an authorized state procurement process.
See the details below.
The Air Sensor Grant Program is open to all Massachusetts municipalities, although MassDEP is encouraging the placement of outside air sensors in communities with Environmental Justice (EJ) populations by giving preference to these applicants. See the documents below to learn more.
PurpleAir PA II sensors are air quality instruments that measure real-time PM2.5 concentrations in a variety of outdoor settings.
Built-in WiFi enables these sensors to transmit air quality data to the PurpleAir Map, where it is stored and can be viewed on any smart device.
PurpleAir sensor data also may be viewed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirNow Fire & Smoke Map together with data from regulatory PM2.5 monitors operated by MassDEP and other government agencies.
Determine how many sensors your municipality wants to apply for (between five and ten) and a geographic area within your community where they will be deployed in outdoor locations.
Then develop a brief project description, including the above information, and identifying:
You will be asked to enter your project description or upload it as an attachment during the online application process.
Your municipality may apply for a minimum of five and a maximum of ten air sensors, which must be installed at outdoor locations within its boundaries.
We encourage your community to partner with residents, schools, businesses, and local organizations that work on public health and environmental justice issues.
The 2021 application cycle has ended.
The agency will check your application for eligibility and completeness, and notify your municipality of this review's outcome.
If your community is selected to receive a MassDEP Air Sensor Grant, the agency will issue you both an Approval Letter and a Contract Document, an example of which is provided below. You will have 30 days to return the executed and signed agreement to MassDEP.
Once MassDEP receives your city or town's executed and signed agreement, the agency will arrange for shipment of the awarded sensors.
Your municipality and/or partner organizations must then work with sensor hosts - which may include residents, schools, business, and community groups - to ensure that the equipment is:
For additional information, see the instructions and video below.
Your city or town is required to notify MassDEP in writing when all awarded sensors are deployed and relaying data.
