Air quality monitoring and data collection are essential elements of an Air Quality Management System (AQMS). Data collected as part of the air quality assessment are used for evaluating current pollution impacts, as well as costs and benefits of control options. Air quality assessment includes an initial identification of pollution sources through monitoring and observation. This is followed by quantification of sources and monitoring of the most important pollutants. The following components are essential to the establishment of an air quality monitoring and assessment program:
- selection of pollutants
- averaging times
- mobile and stationary monitoring
- monitoring techniques
- network design and siting of stations
- data collection and storage
- quality assurance
- financial and manpower requirements
- meteorological data needs
Assessment involves preparing an inventory of sources and modeling air quality. When making plans for long-term air quality management, modeling is important to project long-term trends in air quality.
Many Latin American cities have air quality assessment and management programs, however, most cities monitor air quality infrequently.
Air quality website of PAHO-CEPIS
A lot of useful information, among others: Publications, country Profiles (air quality data, health data, experience and programs), and guidelines.
Air Quality Monitoring by CONAMA in Santiago de Chile
The air quality is being monitored by CONAMA since 1988. On this website the user can find a lot of interesting publication and select stations and parameters.
Air Quality Monitoring by DAMA in Bogotá, Colombia
Air quality information and data for Bogotá, Colombia. Data can be retrieved for each station, as well as historic data summaries.
Air Quality Monitoring by CETESB in São Paulo, Brazil [broken link]
Air quality information and data for São Paulo area and Cubatão. The data is continuously monitored since the 70s and contains 28 measuring stations.
SIMA Mexico City Real-Time Air Quality Data
Straight forward site showing daily hourly readings for the five sectors of Mexico City. Air quality data in table and graphical format.
USEPA AIRNOW Links to State Data
US map with links to of State and local web sites that provide real-time air quality data. Currently 22 states are available.
Hourly US AIRS Data
Hourly US data of O3, NO, NO2, NOX, SO2, CO,NMHC for ten years (1986-1995), extracted from AIRS. Each file contains one month of hourly data. For each year six months of data are extracted (April-September).
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