Community Air Monitoring Activity

Community Air Monitoring (AB 617)

After community selection has been performed, CARB will evaluate selected community monitoring plans using the fourteen key monitoring elements. 

The Community Air Monitoring Branch (CAMB) will assist with community air monitoring activities using a multifaceted approach:

  1. Maintaining the Community Air Monitoring Toolbox
  2. Monitoring plan selection and development.
  3. Data quality objective formulation
  4. Sensor evaluation using deployment and chamber studies
  5. Assistance with deployment and monitoring in the selected communities. 

Study of Neighborhood Air Near Petroleum Sources (SNAPS)

CARB is developing a project to better characterize air quality in communities near oil and gas operations. The Study of Neighborhood Air near Petroleum Sources (SNAPS) includes limited-term, intensive air quality monitoring with a particular focus on production facilities. This source-specific project can also provide valuable information to support the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP), formed pursuant to AB 617.

Under SNAPS, mobile monitoring trailers will be equipped with state-of-the art monitoring technologies capable of measuring toxic air contaminants (TACs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), metals, and criteria pollutants. Staff will initially deploy a mobile air monitoring vehicle in communities to collect preliminary screening information and to respond quickly to significant events statewide where near-immediate air monitoring is warranted. Staff will use that information as well as other criteria, including community concerns, to locate stationary trailer(s) at a site for several months.

Staff will analyze air quality measurements to identify potential areas of elevated health risk within the community. Where appropriate, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) will perform a more in-depth health analysis, potentially including a risk assessment. Staff will post real-time air monitoring data and publish the analysis of results for each site in a report. Staff will also share the results with communities in local meetings.

Pesticide Monitoring

CARB has assisted the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to assess risks associated with agricultural pesticide use for over 30 years. CARB and DPR staff conduct an evolving suite of seasonal exposure studies, pesticide application studies, operation of year-round network monitoring sites, and related laboratory analysis of pesticide samples. This pesticide air monitoring and lab analysis has evolved over time to reflect DPR’s changing programmatic priorities and available CARB resources.

Seasonal ambient pesticide monitoring studies typically last ten weeks in select high-use areas of high pesticide use (e.g. Kern, Fresno, Tulare, and Imperial Counties). Measurements are taken on a 24-hour sample average, 3-4 times per week. Seasonal ambient studies monitor a specific pesticide in three to six locations within each area, typically at schools or other locations near sensitive receptors/populations. CARB will soon establish five year-round network monitoring sites in Shafter, Rio Mesa, Cuyama, San Joaquin, and Lindsay. CARB will also establish laboratory capacity for analyses of fumigants, organo-phosphate pesticides and other pesticides in support of seasonal and network monitoring.

For more information regarding DPR's pesticide programs, please visit the Community Air Protection Program - Pesticide Information website.

Improve Existing Technologies and Help Bring New Technologies to Market

Continued evolution of air monitoring technologies is needed to overcome limitations of current air monitoring instrumentation and sensors. We will collaborate with researchers by sponsoring technical meetings and technology challenges to spur development of new techniques that provide improved data quality and monitor for air pollutants of concern for which sensors are not yet available.

Air Sensors International Conference
Air Sensors International Conference

CARB is sponsoring the Air Sensors International Conference with the University of California, Davis in September 2018 to bring together stakeholders from academia, government, communities, and commercial interests to promote and advance air pollution sensors, improve the data quality from these sensors, expand the air pollutants measured, and foster community involvement in monitoring air quality. We are also currently sponsoring research to advance real-time metals measurements, with results expected by 2021.