National Air Quality Monitoring oring Strategy TRIBES

Transcription

1 National Air Quality Monitoring oring Strategy TRIBES

2 What is the national air quality monitoring network like today? Thousands of air quality monitors are located throughout the country Many sites monitor only one pollutant and provide the exact same data monitored at nearby sites

3 The current network PM10 Monitors PM2.5 Monitors VI VI NAMS (190) SLAMS (608) Other (239) Industrial Data (69) Unofficial PAMS (1) Tribal (16) Unknown (12) Index Site (4) SLAMS (992) Other (193) Tribal (12) Unknown (2) O 3 Monitors VI NAMS (194) SLAMS (616) Other (208) PAMS (5) PAMS / NAMS (19) PAMS / SLAMS (14) Unofficial PAMS (8) Tribal (4) Unknown (3) Industrial Data (9) Non-EPA Federal (32)

4 Revising the network a new strategy Over the past 30 years, the nation s air quality monitoring network has continually evolved and been updated. Current networks are not well suited to: Address emerging air quality issues Integrating new technologies The National Monitoring Strategy Committee has developed the Strategy

5 Why do we need a new strategy? The science shows we need to shift our emphasis in monitoring for different air pollutants: Fine particles and certain toxic air pollutants are the cause of serious health concerns Monitored levels of some pollutants have decreased dramatically over the past 20 years because of successful national initiatives: 98% reduction in lead levels 61% reduction in carbon monoxide levels

6 Why do we need a new strategy? (cont.) We need to incorporate the use of newer technologies (e.g., continuous monitors) We need to provide more timely information to the public We need to make better use of air monitoring data

7 What is the new national air monitoring strategy? A multi-faceted plan to realign the nation s air monitoring network by: Assessing existing networks Incorporating new technologies Optimizing existing resources Designing a network that can accommodate current and future air monitoring needs

8 The new strategy will: Provide a solid foundation for determining health impacts from air pollution Ensure that state and local governments are monitoring the pollutants of greatest concern Optimize air monitoring resources with a focus on public health Accelerate real-time reporting of air quality information to the public

9 Key steps to developing the new strategy Scientific review Communication, public outreach and input Application of new technologies On-going evaluation

10 Components of the new strategy National backbone network (NCore( NCore) Local networks National/regional/local network assessments Enabling regulatory changes Enhanced quality assurance program Identification and use of new measurement technologies Public education/outreach program

11 The National Core Network (NCore) Three-tier structure: Level 1: 3 to 10 master sites Level 2: These are the backbone sites Level 3: 3 Meet network needs for key pollutants (e.g., ozone and PM) May be single-pollutant Likely 500+ sites nationally per key pollutant Augment Level 2 sites for trends, other national and local needs

12 NCore Level 1 - Master sites Covering multiple Covering multiple pollutants Research oriented Opportunities to test new technologies Probably operated by contractors or universities Will need new EPA funding

13 NCore Level 2 - Backbone sites Representative air monitoring network meeting federal objectives Allows for consistent multiple pollutant measurements Includes urban and rural components Approximately urban sites Approximately rural sites

14 NCore Level 3 Focused on the most important criteria pollutants To define nonattainment areas and boundaries Monitor in areas of highest concentration and the greatest population exposure Support air quality management planning Evaluate local background conditions Approximately 1000 sites nationwide, many for single pollutants

15 Local networks Intended to compliment NCore Provide flexibility to meet local objectives, such as: Hot spot monitoring Environmental justice concerns Local source influences Local air toxics concerns

16 Network assessments National assessment Look at the big picture Use various weighting factors Use findings as a tool for state/local agencies Regional/Local assessment Consider national results plus local factors in determining recommendations for network design changes

17 Expected assessment results Monitoring network is realigned by reducing: How Redundant sites Sites showing data well below national health- based standards Sites that have already accomplished local objectives Justification to EPA Regional Office for approval

18 Expected assessment results (cont.) Realignment process to include: Establishment of a consistent set of national multi- pollutant sites Improved monitoring technology Real-time air quality information to the public Improved understanding of health-impacts from air pollution

19 Summary of national assessment results Ozone Reduce number of sites nationally (5-30%) Emphasize relocation to enhance health and public information Fine Particulate Matter (PM ) Reduce sites by 20-30% to ~ 800 sites Shift to continuous methods for AQI/mapping Eventually develop a 500 site (or smaller) network following successful demonstration of continuous methods

20 Summary of national assessment results (cont.) Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Sites (PAMS) PM Restructuring needed PM 10 Major reductions from existing 1600-site network warranted Dependent upon regional/state requirements

21 Summary of national assessment results (cont.) CO, NO 2, SO 2 - Major reductions warranted - Switch to representative and high sensitivity techniques for model evaluation - Build into new core sites Lead - Declare victory! - Maintain minimal level of trends sites - Emphasize lead as a toxic metal

22 New national air monitoring strategy: site locations Considerations: Leveraging from existing sites Spatial consistency State equity Varying urban populations State/local/tribal input Locations to be state/local/tribal decision with EPA oversight

23 Schedule for new national air monitoring strategy 2002 Draft strategy for comment - early Fall Complete regional assessments 2003 Finalize strategy Complete proposed regulatory changes Begin site realignment process

24 Schedule for new national air monitoring strategy (cont.) Continue to finalize initial network realignment 2007 on Maintain dynamic nature of network Reassess network periodically

25 The keys to success Timely and effective communication Timely and effective network assessments Effective resource allocation Cooperation among federal, state, local, tribal agencies Timely changes to monitoring regulations and quality assurance procedures

26 Communications and outreach Participation at federal, state, local, tribal levels Series of products Quarterly newsletter updating the progress of the strategy Fact sheet summarizing the purpose of the strategy National Monitoring Strategy brochure

27 For more information: The draft National Monitoring Strategy document that discusses these issues is available on the EPA AMTIC website at the following link: Comments are due by November 22, 2002