SCDES has developed an extensive ambient (outdoor) air quality monitoring network for PM 2.5, PM 10, and other pollutants to determine:
- highest concentrations of pollutants,
- representative concentrations in areas of high population density,
- impact on air quality of significant sources or source categories,
- general background concentrations,
- extent of regional pollutant transport, and
- welfare-related impacts in more rural and remote areas (ex. visibility impairment and impacts to vegetation).
PM Ambient Air Monitoring Network
The monitors' locations were selected by SCDES in accordance with EPA monitor-siting requirements found in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 40, Part 58, Appendices D and E.
PM 2.5 Monitoring Network Locations
In 2011, there were 14 PM 2.5 monitors strategically located in 10 counties throughout the state.
PM 10 Monitoring Network Locations
In 2011, there were 9 PM 10 monitors strategically located throughout the state.
How PM Monitoring is Performed
PM 2.5 Monitoring
The main purpose of PM monitoring is to provide air quality data to local, state and national regulatory programs for determining whether an area has attained the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (standards). To ensure national consistency in air pollution monitoring, a Federal Reference Method (FRM) sampler is used for making comparisons to the standards. The current FRM for measuring PM 2.5 in the atmosphere is the gravimetric method. In FRM-based monitoring, ambient air is drawn through special filters at a specified flow rate. The filters are weighed before and after sampling at an appropriate location, and the net mass of particles accumulated on the filter is divided by the total volume of air sampled to compute the time-averaged concentration for the sampling period.
PM 10 Monitoring
The PM 10 standards are expressed as a weight of PM 10 particles per volume of air (micrograms per cubic meter). PM 10 mass is collected using a high volume sampler. A high volume PM 10 sampler draws a known volume of ambient air at a constant flow rate through a size selective inlet and a filter. Particles in the PM 10 size range are then collected on the filter during the specified 24-hour sampling period.
Minimum Monitoring Requirements
PM 2.5 Minimum Monitoring Requirements
EPA determines the minimum number of PM 2.5 monitors that can adequately represent an area based on the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), most recently measured PM 2.5 concentrations, and its population. The MSA may include heavily populated counties and adjacent counties that are closely related economically. The map below shows the minimum monitoring requirements for the MSAs in our state as of January 1, 2012.
Depending on historical PM 2.5 trends in the area, the larger MSAs with populations greater than 1 million are required to have 2 or 3 monitors. Mid-size MSAs with populations of 500,000 to 1 million are required to have 1 or 2 monitors. And smaller MSAs with populations of 50,000 to 500,000 are required to have 0 or 1 monitor.
PM 10 Minimum Monitoring Requirements
EPA determines the minimum number of PM 10 monitors that are required for an area is based on the MSA, most recently measured PM 10 concentrations, and the area's population. The MSA may include heavily populated counties and adjacent counties that are closely related economically.
As the table below indicates, an MSA with a population of at least 250,000 and High PM 10 concentrations is required to have 3 or 4 monitors. An MSA with a population less than 250,000 and High concentrations would have 1 or 2 monitors.
MSA Population Level of PM 10 Concentration
| Category 1 | High 2 | Medium 3 | Low 4,5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| > 1,000,000 | 6 - 10 | 4 - 8 | 2 - 4 |
| 500,000 - 1,000,000 | 4 - 8 | 2 - 4 | 1 - 2 |
| 250,000 - 500,000 | 3 - 4 | 1 - 2 | 0 - 1 |
| 100,000 - 250,000 | 1 - 2 | 0 - 1 | 0 |
1 Selection of urban areas and actual numbers of stations per area will be jointly determined by EPA and the State agency.
2 High concentration areas are those for which ambient PM 10 data show ambient concentrations exceeding the PM 10 standard by 20 percent or more.
3 Medium concentration areas are those for which ambient PM 10 data show ambient concentrations exceeding 80 percent of the PM 10 standard.
4 Low concentration areas are those for which ambient PM 10 data show ambient concentrations less than 80 percent of the PM 10 standard.
5 These minimum monitoring requirements apply in the absence of a design value.
The map below indicates that the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC MSA requires 2-4 monitors. The Greenville-Maudlin-Easley, Columbia, Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville and Richmond County, GA-SC MSAs require 1-2 monitors. The Spartanburg and Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway MSAs require 0-1 monitors. The Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC MSA and the Richmond County, GA-SC MSA may have some of their monitors located in the larger metropolitan areas.