This is the output of an air particulate monitor (unit B002) located near Pine Harbor, Wisconsin. Each reading from a Dylos DC1100 instrument is averaged over five minutes and the graphs are updated every thirty minutes. Large particles (above 2.5 μm) are shown in red while small particles (down to 0.5 μm) are shown in orange. Wind conditions and humidity are collected simultaneously from the weather station at the coordinates 44-52°N 091-29°W. The north (green) and west (blue) wind components are recorded separately and are calculated to provide a true vector average. (For details, see the second method cited at http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/wndav.shtml.)
This monitor is approximately 6 miles ESE from the proposed Sand Plant Location in Chippewa Falls. The prevailing wind generally blows from the site of the proposed Sand Plant location, over St Joseph’s Hospital, across Lake Wissota, and up a short hill to the Monitor located 15’ in the air. Wind direction does vary however so the dust from the proposed sand plant operations may at times blow directly over the city and thus not be shown on the monitor.
Originally, it was proposed that there were to be multiple monitors around the plant site so that by subtracting the incoming air pollution number from the total pollution leaving the site, one could calculate the amount of pollution produced by the plant regardless of the direction of the wind. Since the plant operators have resisted this idea, we are installing a series of private monitors, situated as near as possible to the proposed site. These privately owned monitors are now measuring and recording the total particulate output of the air passing over the proposed sand plant plus all other airborne particulate producing sources upwind, including farming, construction, diesel exhaust, road dust, and surprisingly, water vapor. Over time, we can produce a baseline reading before any Sand Plant operations start, so we will be able to measure the increase in particulate pollution due to Sand Plant operations. As you can see by watching the particulate count each day, our air quality is not good. We don’t need more dust in the air.
Based on readings of a similar monitor in Menomonie, near the sand plant there, we expect to see our pollution index increase by orders of magnitude when this Plant actually goes into operation inside the city limits of Chippewa Falls.
Remember to use your web browser's "Reload" button to update this display. The manufacturer of the particulate monitor provides the following guide to particulate counts:
Excellent Air Quality ........ 0 to 7500 Very Good is ............. 7500 to 15000 Good is ................. 15000 to 30000 Fair is ................ 30000 to 105000 Poor is ............... 105000 to 300000 Very Poor is ............. 300000 and up Expect high particle counts if it is rainy or foggy.