The Air Quality section is responsible for maintaining and operating an extensive air quality monitoring network. Ongoing ambient air sampling activities are conducted to measure criteria air pollutant levels at various sites in the City and County (See Air Sampling Site Map). Analytical results of this air sampling are provided to KDHE and EPA, Region VII as part of our State and Local Agreement. Real-time air quality data from these air monitors is also available for citizens to use from our Air Quality Index page. The information is provided in a format that allows easy comparison to EPA federal air quality standards.
An ongoing air toxic program was implemented in 1989 to measure urban and site specific concentrations of air toxic compounds (See Air Toxic Sampling Target Compound List). Our department and KDHE are currently conducting trend analysis of the air toxic data. Indoor air quality complaints may also occasionally require air sampling as part of the investigation. Air quality samples are generally collected for one or more of the following reasons:
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To judge compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
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To develop, modify, or activate control strategies that prevent or alleviate air pollution episodes.
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To observe pollution trends, either locally or throughout a region.
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To provide a data base for research and evaluation of effects.
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To validate data from air modeling projects.
Quality control and quality assurance are important aspects of any sampling program. Our Air Quality staff exerts every effort to ensure that the data generated by our air monitoring network is precise, accurate, and complete, and that all of the data meet quality control standards established by KDHE and EPA.
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