Unusual Air Contaminants from Eaton Fire in Pasadena and Altadena - A Local Resident Reveals Remarkable Environmental Test Results
In the 20-28 day period of February 2025, there was an increase in particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in a specific area. However, after the fire was extinguished on February 22, all the particulate matter readings went down.
During this period, an individual used a personal air quality monitor, the Plume Labs' Flow device, to record location, time, date, and pollution stats for PM1, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and VOCs. The readings around the area varied, ranging from low to high with High risk for VOCs.
The Plume Labs' Flow device, first used by the individual in 2022, was not used since November 2022. The device was purchased by Accuweather in 2023, but it's important to note that the device used in this case does not measure O3 ozone.
Personal monitors like the Flow 2 offer portability and personal exposure data, but they may have limitations in precision and calibration relative to official Air Quality Management District (AQMD) monitoring stations, which use federally approved reference methods. AQMD readings are considered regulatory standards for air quality compliance, while Flow 2 data is geared toward individual awareness and supplemental information.
The individual started carrying the Plume Labs' Flow 2 device on January 8, 2025, to monitor air pollution. The data was averaged in time sections and presented in charts to show averages for each file in days elapsed. Comparison data from November 2022 was downloaded for analysis.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) readings were at around 1.7 in previous usage in 2022, but by February 28, 2025, the average reading had decreased to zero. The particulate matter of the minute PM1 reduced over time for the most part. However, VOCs were higher than during the fire five weeks after the fire.
It's worth mentioning that VOCs are not filtered by a typical N95 mask and require a special carbon filter to be removed from the air. Air purifiers with carbon filters can remove some VOC from the air. The individual's home and office have air purifiers with carbon filters.
Interestingly, the old road with the most traffic showed a high pm10 rating during a walk. Accuweather and Plume Labs are showing different AQI readings for the same area, which could be due to the differences in precision and calibration between personal monitors and official AQMD monitoring stations.
Since no updated or specific comparative studies or status reports from 2025 are available, for the latest details on Flow 2's current status and its comparative accuracy with AQMD, it is recommended to consult Plume Labs' official communications or recent peer-reviewed studies focused on low-cost sensors versus regulatory monitors.
- The individual's personal air quality monitor, the Plume Labs' Flow 2, registered high risk for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) during the February 2025 period when there was an increase in particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
- While the individual's home and office have air purifiers with carbon filters to remove VOCs, it's worth noting that VOCs are not filtered by a typical N95 mask.
- The readings from personal monitors like the Plume Labs' Flow 2 may vary from those of official Air Quality Management District (AQMD) monitoring stations, as demonstrated by different AQI readings for the same area by Accuweather and Plume Labs.
