1 Overview of the National Monitoring Strategy with an Emphasis on NCore Mike Papp Ambient Air Monitoring Group EPA OAQPS Dec. 12, 2006 Las Vegas

2 Future Directions Visibility – IMPROVE & Regional Haze Fine Particles – PM 2.5 & Chemical Speciation Acid Deposition – CASTNet, NADP Inhalable Particles – PM 10 Air Toxic Monitoring Ozone – PAMS Today A comprehensive re-examination and re- configuration of air monitoring networks National Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy Other Criteria Pollutants – NO 2, SO 2,CO, Pb

3 Evolution in NAAQS monitoring over time

4 However, has the evolution gone far enough?

5 New strategy required to: Keep monitoring matched to evolving and diverse current air quality challenges Integrate or coordinate networks Use best new science/methods to get best data Provide better access to data so it gets used to best benefit Match action plans to funding

6 Who benefits? State and local agencies –More focused operations, increase relevancy and flexibility Tribes –Provides integration/partnering opportunities Public –Faster and more comprehensive data delivery creates a more informed public

7 Who benefits? (cont.) EPA –Stability/consistency in data for national programs Science community –Enhanced integration with national networks –Increase in continuous and multi-pollutant data sets Other agencies and organizations –Commonality in data needs Fosters efficient networks and use of data

8 Monitoring Objectives 1.Data for general public. –AQI and other public air quality reports 2.Support risk assessment and management NAAQS Visibility Air Toxics Ecosystem risks Endangered species Food chain Cultural values 3.Accountability 4.R&D – Tool Development

9 Whose Strategy Is It? “National Strategy” really EPA’s strategy –Plan for using EPA resources and authority to help achieve goals endorsed by EPA –Informed by dialog with others –Intended to support other organizations’ strategies Every other monitoring organization should also have its own strategy –Goals –Resources and authority

10 The Strategy Addresses Distinct Types of Ambient Air Monitoring Urban Monitoring –NAAQS Networks- NCore Sites –Coarse PM- PAMS –PM speciation- Air Toxics –Near Roadway - Homeland Security Rural Monitoring –IMPROVE (visibility) - CASTNET (dry deposition) –NADP (wet deposition)- MDN (wet deposition) –Proposed Mercury dry deposition network –NCore Tribal Monitoring

11 NCore Design Network Assessments Revised Regulations Quality Assurance Technology What are the pieces?? Current Networks Reconfigured Networks National Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy Communications

12 General Operating Principles Partnership Flexibility for diversity Work with the scientists more Keep funding steady Use the data more intensively

National Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy Document Regulatory Review NMS Draft April 2004 NAAMS Draft Dec NMS First Draft Sept 2002 CASAC Review July ‘03 Technology CASAC Review Dec ‘04 Public Comments Extended summary and conceptual Implementation Plan Comprehensive Document Workgroups and Assessments Overall Direction From NAAMS Steering Committee 2000 Assessments QA Proposed Monitoring Rule Jan Final Monitoring Rule Oct Public Comments PM NAAQS REVISION PROCESS

14 Read the Rest of the Strategy! Next Iteration – Early 2007 Catch up with specifics of new Rule Improve other aspects not well addressed in Dec draft –Near Roadway issues –Deposition and air monitoring for accountability Reflect new budget reality, if necessary Useful to monitoring organizations as they prepare July 2007 monitoring plans for EPA approval

15 National Core Network: NCORE Goal: Move from loosely tied single-pollutant networks to coordinated, highly leveraged multi-pollutant networks with real-time reporting capability PAMS PM O3 PM SO2 Toxics PM CO IMPROVE CASTNET

16 NCore Station Attributes Collocation of multiple pollutant and supporting measurements Robust suite of filter- based PM samplers Emphasis on continuous operating instruments Use of high-sensitivity precursor gas monitors Diversity of representative site locations Leverage with existing multipollutant networks Candidate NCore Site Pinnacle Park, New York

17 Relating NCore Monitoring System Objectives to other Ambient Networks ObjectiveMonitor TypesExample Analyses/Rationale Public reporting (continuous PM 2.5 and ozone)Local sites (primary) NCore sites (secondary) direct reporting through AIRNow Emission strategy development (trace gases, PM 2.5 speciation, VOCs*) NCore sites (primary)model evaluation, source apportionment and other observational models Assessing effectiveness of emission reductions and AQ trends (trace gases, PM 2.5 speciation, VOCs*) NCore sites (primary) Local sites (secondary) time series comparisons to emissions projections Support health assessments and NAAQS reviews (trace gases, O 3, PM 2.5 and PM (mass and species)) NCore sites (primary) Research and local sites (secondary) ambient input to exposure models; direct association analyses Compliance (NAAQS comparisons) (PM 2.5 and O 3 ) Local sites (primary) NCore sites (secondary) point and spatial field comparisons to NAAQS Science support (all pollutants)Research sites (primary) NCore sites (secondary) methods evaluation, size distribution analyses, diagnostic analysis (model processes, particle formation) Ecosystem assessment (NO y, HNO 3 *, NH 3 *, O 3 )NCore sitesmass balance analysis, deposition calculations * Not required in NCore regulation

18 Candidate NCore Site Locations November 1, 2006

19 Between 62 and 71 stations must be operational by Jan. 1, 2011 –NCore monitoring plan due July 1, 2009, as part of annual monitoring network plan. Items that can be negotiated: Delegation of required sites between state and local agencies. Operation of additional sites by states, local agencies, and/or tribes Urban vs. rural locations NOy and meteorological measurements (more later) –NCore sites approved at Administrator level Ultimate size of deployed network: ~75 stations Other Aspects of NCore Network Requirements

20 NCore Parameter Requirements MeasurementsComments PM 2.5 FRM masstypically 24 hr. average every 3 rd day PM 2.5 speciationOrganic and elemental carbon, major ions and trace metals (24 hour average; every 3 rd day) PM FRM masstypically 24 hr. average every 3 rd day PM speciationtypically 24 hr. average every 3 rd day continuous PM 2.5 mass1 hour reporting interval ozone (O 3 )all gases through continuous monitors carbon monoxide (CO)capable of trace levels (low ppb and below) where needed sulfur dioxide (SO 2 )capable of trace levels (low ppb and below) where needed nitrogen oxide (NO)capable of trace levels (low ppb and below) where needed total reactive nitrogen (NO y ) 1 capable of trace levels (low ppb and below) where needed surface meteorology 2 wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity 1 In areas with negligible expected difference between NOy and NOx measured concentrations, the Administrator may allow for waivers that permit NOx monitoring to be substituted for the required NOy monitoring at applicable NCore sites. 2 The requirement for meteorological monitoring can be waived by the Administrator if the NCore site is not suitable for representative meteorological measurements due to the site’s physical surroundings and it is possible for nearby meteorological measurements to fulfill this data requirement.

21 NCore Methods For SO 2, CO, NO 2, O 3, PM 2.5, or PM : –Must be FRM or FEM, or Approved Regional Method (ARM) if comparing to NAAQS –Not an issue for NO Y monitors (no NAAQS) –FRM or FEM trace-level SO 2 and CO monitors becoming more widely available

22 NCore Methods (cont.) Trace-level monitoring integral part NCore –Includes rural sites, background and transport sites, and many sites in urban areas where SO 2, NO 2, and CO levels have declined significantly over time –OAQPS has provided training on trace-level monitors

23 NCore Site Placement Design Issues –Need sites representative of ambient concentrations over extensive area Urban scale (4-50 kilometers) or larger Neighborhood scale ( kilometers) if location is representative of many similar neighborhoods –Minimal influence by local emission sources that are not impacting the entire urban or rural area

24 NCore Site Placement (cont.) Collocated with PAMS, NATTS, CASTNET, and STN sites where possible Logistical Issues –Long-term sites (>5 years) –Room for multiple gas monitors, equipment, meteorology –Ground footprint allows accessibility for TTP audit vehicle

25 Status Of NCore Pilot Program Approximately 70 existing and potential NCore site locations Regions negotiating with monitoring organizations about some locations Final proposed NCore sites must be included in July 1, 2009 plan OAQPS developing AMTIC-based web tool to help organize information about NCore sites and serve as outreach tool for potential data users

26 NCore Network Web Tool