Mission
To monitor the quality of outdoor air by testing for harmful pollutants.
What we do
- Conduct air pollution analyses through a network of eight air-monitoring stations located throughout the state and maintained in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Management.
- Measure multiple outdoor air pollutants including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, airborne toxic compounds, metals, and particulate matter.
- Report ground level ozone and particulates measurements to the RI DEM for the publicly reported air quality index used to issue alerts when expected levels are unhealthy.
- Electronically share air quality data with the EPA Air Now database to develop air quality trend models and air pollution control measures.
Accomplishments
- Approved by the USEPA to measure ambient concentrations of pollutants for which the EPA has established a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).
- Conducts continuous air quality monitoring at urban, suburban and coastal sites in Rhode Island.
- Reports RI Air Quality Data to https://www.airnow.gov/
- Supports investigations conducted by DEM Office of Air Resources
- Annual participation in the EPA’s State or Local Air Monitoring Stations network (SLAMS).