Air Quality Surveillance
The Bureau of Air Quality Surveillance is responsible for the operation of the various ambient air quality monitoring networks for the State. The information obtained is used to determine the attainment status of the criteria pollutants: ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), lead, and particulate matter (PM). BAQS provides near real time data on the DEC website for measured gaseous pollutants, as well as fine particulate matter PM2.5. In addition, volatile organic compounds are measured for the State toxics network, the National Air Toxics Trends Stations network, and the two Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) sites. BAQS operates a PM2.5 Speciation Trends Network to determine the chemical composition of fine particulate matter in various parts of the State. BAQS also performs air pollution particle identification using microscopic techniques including a scanning electron microscope.
