Evidence & air quality
What we know. What we are documenting.
A useful record separates observations, monitor readings, documents, and conclusions. This independent resident resource concerns Waterford Bay, 380 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul.
The status of the local evidence
- Resident reports
- Residents describe recurring smoke odors and smoke entering apartments and shared indoor spaces. Some report nearby outdoor burning. These accounts should be recorded with dates, locations, and firsthand observations. They do not, by themselves, establish what was burned, who was responsible, or whether a legal violation occurred.
- Management correspondence — resident-supplied transcription
- A resident supplied the text of an email attributed to Jamie West, Regional Property Manager, Midwest, under the subject “RE [EXTERNAL] SMOKE IN THE BUILDING | TENANT DEMANDS.” The supplied text states:
Smoke is able to enter the building through the garage door and egress and ingress doors.
The original email has not been independently authenticated here, and its date has not been confirmed. This is a quotation from the supplied transcription, not an independent building inspection. - Management's stated position
- In that same supplied text, management says it is pursuing the matter with the mayor, council, and police because the reported encampment is on public land; says it cannot act directly there; states that the property, HVAC system, windows, and doors meet applicable requirements; and says ventilation requires outside air and it cannot create a high-pressure zone to exclude smoke. These are management's stated positions, not findings adopted by this site. The smoke-entry acknowledgement does not by itself establish legal responsibility, the source or composition of smoke, or which mitigation is feasible.
- Submitted readings
- The air-reading log contains resident-submitted consumer-monitor observations when approved for publication. Publication means a submission was moderated; it does not mean an agency validated the instrument or result. Each record needs its timestamp, units, location category, and measurement context.
- Official findings
- An agency complaint, a case number, and an official finding are different things. The complaints tracker records reported case progress. A finding should be described as official only when supported by the agency's actual written determination.
PM1, PM2.5, and PM10
Particulate matter is a mixture of airborne solid particles and liquid droplets. The number describes a particle-size cutoff, in micrometers; it is not the concentration. PM2.5 includes fine particles generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller; PM10 includes particles generally 10 micrometers and smaller. Small particles can reach deep into the lungs, and some can enter the bloodstream. Source: EPA particulate-matter basics.
| Measure | Meaning | How to record it |
|---|---|---|
| PM1 | Estimated particle mass up to about 1 micrometer. | Enter the displayed concentration in µg/m³. Leave blank if the device does not provide it. |
| PM2.5 | Estimated fine-particle mass up to about 2.5 micrometers. | Record µg/m³, the device model, and the averaging interval if known. |
| PM10 | Estimated particle mass up to about 10 micrometers. | Record µg/m³ and note that some inexpensive sensors poorly capture larger particles. |
| AQI | A calculated index, without µg/m³ units. | Optional: record the displayed AQI, which index/country the device uses, and its averaging period. |
These size categories overlap: PM1 is included within PM2.5, which is included within PM10. Do not add the three readings together. Sensor estimates can occasionally be inconsistent; preserve the original display and flag unusual values rather than silently changing them. Source: PurpleAir's measurement explanation.
A concentration is not an AQI score
The U.S. AQI communicates outdoor air quality and associated health concern. Its particle-pollution component uses PM2.5 and PM10, not PM1. Daily particle AQI reflects a 24-hour period; AirNow's current conditions use a separate NowCast method. A momentary indoor reading cannot be treated as an official daily AQI or directly compared with a 24-hour standard. This site records the original concentration and any device-displayed AQI separately. AirNow AQI basics; AirNow explains averaging and NowCast.
What a consumer monitor can — and cannot — show
A consistent series of readings can help document when particle levels rise and fall. Results depend on the instrument, placement, conditions, and processing. A reading is an estimate at that sensor, not a building-wide test. A particle-only monitor does not identify the chemicals present, prove the source of particles, diagnose illness, or certify that all air is safe. It may miss other hazards, including carbon monoxide. EPA guidance on indoor consumer monitors.
Smoke is a mixture of particles and gases. Composition depends on fuel and burning conditions. Do not turn a smoke odor or PM spike into a claim that a particular chemical was detected. Cooking, candles, cleaning, outdoor traffic, regional wildfire smoke, and other sources may also affect readings. Describe observed timing and conditions, and leave source attribution open unless supported by stronger evidence. New York State Department of Health: smoke from fires; MPCA: wood smoke.
Choosing a monitor
One option is the PurpleAir Zen, sold by its manufacturer. It is an indoor/outdoor particle monitor with PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 estimates; its color indicator and data access can help keep a repeated record. It is a candidate for documenting particle trends, not a guarantee of accuracy for every particle size. PurpleAir specifically warns that its sensors can substantially underestimate PM10. Do not buy it for precise coarse-particle testing. Read the manufacturer's limitations.
There is no need to buy a device to participate. Use your existing monitor if available, record its model, and leave unsupported measurements blank. Check the manufacturer's current price, data-export options, power requirements, and privacy settings before purchasing. This is a non-affiliate link; this site receives no payment. EPA's sensor guidebook explains how to evaluate and use sensors.
Reducing exposure while documenting
MDH's smoke guidance recommends filtering indoor air, limiting activities that add particles, and seeking a cleaner indoor location when needed. Follow device instructions and ask building management or a qualified professional before changing shared ventilation systems. Do not block required vents, exits, or safety equipment. Discuss symptoms and individual health needs with a health professional; do not wait for this site to approve a report. Minnesota Department of Health smoke guidance.
Sources checked October 21, 2026. General educational information, not a medical diagnosis, environmental inspection, or legal determination.