Ohio EPA Air Pollution Program

The Ohio EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has its own Air Monitoring Section.   The goals of the Air Monitoring Section are to determine compliance with the ambient air quality standards, provide real-time monitoring of air pollution episodes, provide data for trend analyses, regulation evaluation and planning, and provide daily information to the public concerning the quality of the air in high population areas, near major emission sources and in rural areas across the state.  There is monitoring sites stationed all across Ohio.  This array of monitory sites is referred to as the Air Monitoring Network.  Many of these sites are fitted with multi-pollutant monitoring equipment.  Ohio EPA has a list of priorities listed in there 2016-2017 plan.  The first thing on that list is the air quality in areas of expected high concentration.  In other words, areas that have a high possibility of air pollutant problems.  Number two on that list is areas with a high population density.  This makes logical sense because anywhere where the air quality is affecting a mass amount of people would be reason for concern.  Third on the list are areas with significant sources, which goes along with the first one.  Four is general background concentration. And finally five is areas of regional transportation of a pollutant.  Although these are the 5 main goals of Ohio EPA’s air monitoring program, they do much more as well.  The Ohio EPA also has a real time air quality monitoring map on there website.  This map allows you to see real time data on the air quality in areas all across Ohio. 

Looking at the map you can see that most of the air monitoring cites, but not all, are in or near urban areas.  This is for the reasons previously stated.  Areas of the highest concentration of people, and nearest to possible sources are of the most concern.  The air quality in Ohio today (September 5, 2016) is good-moderate.  The yellow dots on the map indicate moderate air quality, and the green indicates good air quality.  This is a change from the other day however, when all dots were green.  The map fluctuates from day to day.  Another very cool feature of this interactive map is you can put your curser over the dots of each air monitoring site and it will five you more information.  It will show you the current ozone level and the time and date it was taken at. There are six “criteria pollutants” that the EPA monitors.  They are photochemical oxidants and ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead.  All these pollutants can be harmful to human health and our environment when in the air.  There are standards set and maximum allowable levels in place concerning these pollutants to keep our environment as healthy as possible.  There is also an air quality index.  Which is what the colors in the interactive chart I talked about early are based off of.  This index uses a color and number system to rate air quality.  This chart along with more helpful information can be found on Ohio EPA’s website.