Division of Air Quality Program Review

Division of Air QualityAmbient MonitoringDonnie RedmondSection ChiefMay 7, 2014Topics to be CoveredAmbient MonitoringWhy do we do it?Who determines how many to operate?How do we decide where to put them?What do monitors look like? (Pictures!)Issues on the Horizon2Ambient Monitoring: Why?EPA requirementsHighest concentrationsPopulation exposureBackgroundResearchPublic health effects re pollutant levelsTo better understand control strategiesPublic interest3Ambient Monitoring: What? EPA regulations lay out minimum requirementsNumber of monitorsWhere to locate themHow long to operate themDifferent rules for each pollutantSame standards apply across the nation4Example: Ozone requirementsAny metro area (MSA) with 350,000 peopleMust have at least one ozone monitorIf >85% of the standard, must have twoAny MSA with at least 50,000 peopleMust have a monitor if >85% of standardAt least one monitor in each area must be for maximum concentration

5Ozone monitoring reqts (cont.)Eight NC metro areas have >350,000 peopleCharlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Hickory, FayettevilleEach must have at least one monitorSecond monitor required if near ozone standardSeven other MSAs with 50,000-350,000 peopleWilmington, Greenville, Rocky Mount, Jacksonville, Goldsboro, Burlington, New BernOne monitor required if >85% of standard85% of the standard (75ppb) is ~64 ppb6Ozone monitoring reqts (cont.)Other considerationsAdditional monitors may help reduce the size of a nonattainment areaRural monitors may help determine transport of pollution

Number of required ozone monitors can add up quickly!

7Other pollutantsPM2.5Population and pollutant concentrationNO2Population and traffic volumeSO2Population and emissions weighted indexLeadEmissions-basedCONo population-based requirementsAdditional background monitors in support of PSD permitting

8Ambient Monitoring: Who?Statewide networkRegional office staff operates the monitorsElectronics calibration/repair shop in RaleighTwo labs in RaleighCentral office does QA, SOPs, and reportingLocal programsMecklenburg, Forsyth, Western NCCherokee tribeFederal agencies also operate monitors in NC9Site CharacteristicsMust meet EPA requirements, includingDistance from trees, buildings, roadsNearby emissions sourcesPrevailing wind directionHeight of sample probe above groundOther considerationsSafety of technicians (traffic, terrain)Access to power and phoneCost to use site (free is good!)Co-located with other instruments

10Quality Assurance requirementsChemists/statisticians review, validate, and report all the data CalibrationsPower failuresExceptional events, i.e., firesMonitor performance issuesTemperature, humidity, leaksInsects, varmintsCompleteness

11Issues on the HorizonNew ozone standard (2015)Could require monitors in smaller metro areasCould extend the ozone monitoring seasonSO2 source-oriented monitoring (2016)Major concerns regarding resources and logisticsIntroduction of new high tech sensing devicesCitizens can take real-time local measurements

12Particulate at Goldsboro13

Ozone at Mocksville14

Near road monitor in Raleigh15

Questions?Donnie RedmondAmbient Monitoring Section Chief919-707-8468donnie.redmond@ncdenr.gov

References40 CFR Part 58, Appendix DDAQ websitehttp://www.ncair.org/16