CITY OF ALBUQ1JERQUE 

Environmental Health Depattment 

Mary Lou Leonard, Director 

PO Box 1293 

NM 87103 

www.cabq.gov 

July 10, 2014 

11r. Mark Hansen 

Associate Director for Air Programs, Acting 

US EPA Region VI, 6 PD-Q 

1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200 

Dallas, TX 75202-2733 

Subject: Annual Network Monitoring plan for Albuquerque/Bernalillo County for 2014 

Dear I'vfr. Hansen: 

Enclosed is one copy of the Annual Network Assessment Plan. The document was given to 

Region VI staff and was posted on the idbuquerque website for public review on May 30, 

2014. 

As of July 8, 2014, no comments have been received from the general public. The attached 

document is therefore is being submitted in compliance with 40 CFR, Part 58, Subpart B. 

Please contact me if there any questions. Your support of our Ambient Air Monitoring 

Program is appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

CC: 

-~--·· 

epartrnent, 

Maria Martinez, US EP"\ RegiOn VI, Section Cluef 

Kara Allen, US EP .. \ Region ·vr, ""-\Jbuquerque Coordinator 

Fabian Macias, AEHD, ,\ir Quality Programs, Air Quality Official 

Ken Lienemann AEHD, .t\i.r Quality Monitoring Supervisor 

Dan Gates Q.£\0, AEHD, ._r\ir Quality Assurance Supervisor 

I 
Albuquerque Environmental Health Department (EHD) 

Air Quality Programs (AQP) 

Ambient Air Monitoring Section 

2014 Annual Network Review for Ambient Air Monitoring 

Under 40 CFR, Part 58, Subpart B, The City of Albuquerque Air Quality Programs 

(AQP) is required to submit an annual monitoring network review to the Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) regional office in Dallas, Texas. Our objective, when preparing 

the report, is to optimally apply limited resources to best protect public health. 

The network plan describes the framework of the local air quality surveillance system, 

presents monitoring results over the past three years, provides comparisons to National 

standards, and discusses future plans. The annual monitoring network plan must be made 

available for public inspection for at least 30 days prior to formal submission to EPA. 

(Anticipated dates are May 30- June 30, 2014.) 

This document shows the current network configuration and proposed changes for 2014. 

It represents the commitment of the AQP to effectively protect the health of the citizens 

of Albuquerque-Bernalillo County 1 through ambient air monitoring, by using the best 

affordable technology, and by communicating the data collected as quickly and 

accurately as possible. 

Two monitoring sites, 2ZH North Valley (AIRS 35-001-1013) and 2ZT Taylor Ranch 

(AIRS 35-001-0027) were shut down in 2013 with EPA Approval. Those sites housed 

four monitors (two Ozone, one PM! 0 and one PM2.5) but we continue to meet our 

minimum requirements for each criteria pollutant. 

Additional monitor and site cutbacks are proposed for the upcoming year, developed in 

consultation with EPA Region VI to better align the network with minimum network 

requirements. Changes will be discussed by pollutant in each section. 

Population Statistics 

Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, including Rio Rancho and Los Lunas is the State's 

largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The US Census Bureau estimates the 2013 

population of the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) which includes portions of the 

adjacent counties of Sandoval, Valencia, and Torrance as approximately 902,797 (43.3% 

of the State). http://quickfacts.eensus.l!O\/qfd/index.html# As the regional center for 

employment, advanced education, retail commerce, and medical treatment, Albuquerque 

experiences non-local commuter traffic. The junction of major Interstate 25 (north/south) 

and Interstate 40 (east/west), adds significant heavy transport traffic between the port of 

Los Angeles and the East Coast, and between Denver, EI Paso, and the US-Mexico 

Border. However, this traffic is less significant when compared major metropolitan areas. 

1 Excluding Native American and Pueblo Lands within the County. 

1 
The map in Figure I shows the physical location of all current monitoring sites currently 

operated by the Air Quality Programs. Three sites are within the city limits of 

Albuquerque. Three other sites (2ZV- South Valley, 2ZW Westside, and 2ZFFoothills) are in Bernalillo County. 

Figure 1: Albuquerque Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network 

Table I shows the current network configuration and lists the monitoring equipment 

operated at each site. Column I is the "AQS Site ID#," a unique identification number 

assigned to each monitoring site in the network. The AQS (Air Quality System) is a 

national air monitoring database maintained by the EPA. Data collected from monitoring 

sites are input into the AQS database within 90 days following the end of each calendar 

quarter. <http I lwww. epa. g ov /ttn/a i rs/ag sdata ma rtl access. htm> 

Column 2 gives the local site designation, name, location, and "affiliation." Site 

longitude and latitude are in columns 3 and 4. Columns 5 through 9 list the monitors at 

each site and their associated parameters. Site photographs accompany the hard-copy 

version of this report on CD. During the public review period monitoring site 

photographs can be downloaded from the City of Albuquerque- Air Quality Programs 

website http://www.cabq.gov/airqualitv/ 

Proposed changes to the network are discussed in the next section, by pollutant. 

2 
1 auu: 1 Amuquen ue .;;uu Amment Air JVtomtorm2 Network 

AQSSite Address/ Longitude Latitude Pollutants Monitor Sampling Analysis Operating Monitoring Spatial NAAQS 

ID# Location Measured MSA Type Method Schedule Objective Scale Comparable 

2ZF 03 SLAMS 44201-1 lN photo- continuous Highest Neighbor- Yes Abq. 35-001- Foothills 087 metric Concentration hood 

1012 8901 Lowel -106.508 35.1852 

88101 Beta General Neighbor- NE PM2.5 SLAMS continuous Yes Abq. 170 Absorption Background hood 

03 SLAMS 44201-1 lN photo- continuous General Neighbor- Yes Abq. 087 metric Background hood 

NonHSCO SLAMS 42101-1 

dispersive continuous General Neighbor- Yes Abq. 593 IR Background hood 

N02 SLAMS 42602-1 Chemilumicontinuous General Neighbor- Yes Abq. 600 nescence Background hood 

NOy SLAMS 42600 Chemilumicontinuous General Neighbor- NA Abq. 599 nescence Background hood 

2ZMDel 

Norte 4700a HSS02 SLAMS 

42406 W Fluores- General Neighbor- continuous Yes Abq. San Mateo 600 cence Background hood 35-001-

NE 

0023 -106.586 35.13426 Lead SLAMS 14129 EQL-0710- Daily 1/6 General NeighborNcore Yes Abq. 110 192 Background hood 

Affiliation: 81102 Beta General Neighbor- NCore "Pf\/11 0 SLAMS continuous Yes Abq. 122 Absorption Background hood 

"PM2.5 SLAMS 88101 Beta 

continuous General Neighbor- Yes Abq. 170 Absorption Background hood 

PM2.5 

SLAMS 88101-2 

Gravimetric Daily 1/3 General Neighbor- Yes collocated 118 Background hood Abq. 

Speciation SLAMS 68103 Multiple Daily 1/3 General Neighbor- NA Abq Background hood 

carbon Special 88320, Multiple Daily 1/3 General NeighborSpeciation Purpose 88321 Background hood NA Abq 

2ZNSE 44201-1 lN photo- General Neighbor- 03 SLAMS continuous Yes Abq. 35-001- Heights 087 metric Background hood 

0024 6000 -106.579 35.0631 

Anderson PM2.5 SLAMS 88101-1 Beta continuous General NeighborAvenue SE Yes Abq. 170? Absorption Background hood 

'The two BAMS produce PM10.25 using EQPM-0709-185. The BAMS are individually comparable to PM10 and PM, 5 NMQS but there is not a PM1 0-2.5 NMQS. 

3 
Table I - Continued 

AQS Site Address/ Longitude Latitude Pollutants Monitor Sampling Analysis Operating Monitoring Spatial NAAQS MSA 

ID# Location Measured Type Method Schedule Objective Scale Comparable 

PM10 SLAMS 81102-3 TEOM continuous Significant Middle Yes Abq. 076 Source 

2ZS 

35-001- Jefferson 

-106.605 35.1443 PM10 SLAMS 81102-1 Gravimetric Daily 111 Significant Middle Yes Abq. 0026 3700 Singer 127 Source 

NE 

PM10 SLAMS 81102-2 Gravirretric Daily 116 Significant Middle Yes Abq. collocated 127 Source 

03 SLAMS 

44201-1 

087 

lN photorretric 

continuous Genera! Neighbor- Yes Abq Background hood 

2ZV South Non42101-1 continuous Highest NeighborValley HSCO SLAMS 

593 dispersive seasonal Concentration hood 

Yes Abq. 

35-001- IR 201 -106.657 35.01708 

0029 

Prosperity 81102-3 Beta General NeighborSE PM10 SLAMS 

122 Absorption 

continuous 

Background 

Yes Abq hood 

PM2.5 SLAMS 88101 

170 

Beta 

Absorption 

continuous General Neighbor- Yes Abq Background hood 

2ZW 

Westside 03 SLAMS 44201-1 lN photo- continuous Special Study Neighbor- Yes Abq. 

35-001- 11850 087 metric hood 

0032 Sunset -106.761 35.0641 

Gardens 

PM10 *Special 81102-3 TEOM Significant Neighbor- continuous No Abq. sw Purpose 076 Source hood 

Siting criteria are not good for PM SLAMS but the site is necessary for AQI 

4 
Summary of changes 

Changes proposed for the upcoming year were developed in consultation with EPA 

Region VI, to better align the network with minimum network requirements. 

Ground Level Ozone (03) 

Based on population, Table D-2 of Appendix D to Part 58, 40 CFR specifies a minimum 

of two (2) SLAMS (State and Local Air Monitoring Stations) ozone monitors. 

Current- Currently the AQP exceeds the minimum requirements with five (5) ozone 

monitors, all categorized as SLAMS. 

The MSA experiences high levels of Ozone during the summer and non-attainment is a 

serious consideration. Our declaration in 2013 did not show an exceedence of the 

standard but the matter must be re-examined every year. There was great concern about 

2013 but we experienced very unusual weather patterns. Table 2 shows that for the first 

time in many years Ozone levels dropped instead of rising. 

Table 2: Ozone Design Value, ppm 

Year 4th highest 8-hr Avg 

2011 0.076 

2012 0.077 

2013 0.065 

Design Value 0.072 

Future- Two Ozone monitors at 2ZN SE Heights (AIRS 35-001-0024) and at 2ZW 

Westside (AIRS 35-001-0032) are proposed to shut down in 2014. 

PM25 

According to Table D-5 of Appendix D to Part 58, 40 CFR two SLAMS PM2.5 sites (3 

monitors) are required in Albuquerque. 

Current- AQP operates four PMz 5 monitoring sites in Albuquerque-Bernalillo County 

with five (5) total monitors, all of which are identified as SLAMS. 

The 2ZM site (35-001-0023) operates a Partisol2025 sequential sampler with 2.5 micron 

inlet cutoff to record 24-hour averages PM2 5 on a 1/3 schedule. This sampler is a Federal 

Reference Method (FRM) and is comparable to the NAAQS. In the coming year this will 

be switched to a newer Partisol 2025i. 

Beginning January 2012 and continuing through the present, two BAM 1020 continuous 

monitors have been used at site (35-001-0023) to report PM10-2.s on an hourly basis. The 

PM2.5 BAM is collocated with the previously mentioned Partisol 2025 FRM. 

5 
Three additional sites monitor PM2s continuously. 2ZF and 2ZN, and 2ZV are SLAMS 

and are NAAQS comparable. The data from these monitors are used for the Air Quality 

Index (AQI) and report hourly averages that are sent to EPA's AIRNOW web page for 

real-time Air Quality particulate mapping. 

The 2013 98'h percentile data in Table 3 show slight decrease over prior years. While it 

was an active Western fire season in general, we were fortunate in that there were fewer 

significant smoke intrusions into the Albuquerque airshed. However, it should be noted 

that the long range forecast for the 2014 fire season is very poor. 

Future-The 2ZN Southeast Heights (AIRS 35-00 1-0024) continuous PM2.5 monitor is 

proposed to shut down in 2014. In conjunction with the Ozone discontinuation above, 

the Southeast Heights monitoring site will be closed. 

Table 3: PM2.s Design Value, ug/m3 

Design 2011 Arith· 2012 Arith~ 2013 Arith- Design Collocated 

Site Name 2011 Daily 2012 Daily 2013 Daily Value(% Value(% with 

AQS# 98th% 98th% 98th% Daily metic metic me tic Annual continuous 

NAAQS) Mean Mean Mean NAAQS) PM2.5 

081 Norte 215 0023 16.3 14.1 49 4% 64 74 58 54 4"/o Yes 

SE Heights 17 3 20 14.5 49 3% 6.3 73 6.2 55 0% No 0024 

PM1o 

PM data is used by the AQI to accurately portray PM in neighborhoods, to enforce our 

local dust control regulation, and to issue high wind advisory and health alerts. High PM 

values are the most common cause of AQI warning days in Albuquerque. 

Because of terrain, extremely dry climate, and unusual weather patterns, Bernalillo Co 

frequently has very different conditions in various parts of the airshed. Prevailing 

westerly winds are the assumed weather pattern but that is only true during certain 

seasons of the year and varies widely from site to site. East canyon winds accelerate 

down-slope on the Sandia Mountain at speeds up to 65 miles per hour, blasting the NE 

quadrant of the city before slowing and dispersing. East winds can also affect South 

Valley (AQS 35-001-0029 SV) with silt particulates from the outflow of the dry Tijeras 

Canyon. The Rio Grande river valley experiences North-South flow with a diurnal 

pattern. The west side of the city has very fine soils and large tracts of native vegetation 

are being removed for development. The combination of these factors can produce high 

PM levels with any wind direction and the manifestation varies from area to area. 

Current- Over the past year the AQP monitored PM10 at four sites with a total of 6 

monitors. At this time, three of the sites and five monitors are NAAQS comparable. 

The NCore Site 2ZM (AQS 35-001-0023) operates a continuous FEM that produces data 

used for both PM10 and PMI0-25· 

6 
The AQP operates two PM10 FRMs (Ill & 1/6) and a continuous monitor at 2ZS (35-

00 1-0029) all of which are NAAQS comparable. 

The North Valley site 2ZH (AQS 35-001-1013) was shut down at the end of March, 2013 

with EPA's concurrence. 

The status of the PMlO monitor at 2ZV (AQS 35-001-0029) was upgraded to SLAMS 

starting 1/1/2011 after site remediation and as of this year it has 3-years of valid data. 

The AQP operates a PMlO a continuous monitor at 2ZW (AQS 35-001-0032) however, 

the PM siting criteria for site 2ZW are not met, and PM! 0 data is not be compared to the 

NAAQS. The continuous monitor is denoted "Special Purpose" and is used for AQI and 

to issue Health Advisories. As a result, data from that site does not appear in Table 5. 

Data from the special purpose monitor is also being archived to characterize the PM 

background prior to anticipated development. 

Table 4 calculates the design values for each comparable PMlO site in the Albuquerque 

Network that has sufficient historical data. (Reference PMlO SIP Development 

Guideline, US EPA-450/2-86-001, June 1987). Using the highest single monitor design 

value, the Network Design value is 105.7 ug/m3 which is 70% of the NAAQS or in the 

low range. Based on population, 40CFR, Part 58, Table D-4 of Appendix D specifies 

two-to-four sites as the minimum requirement for low concentration MSAs. 

Table 4. PM10 Design Values, ug/m3 

2ZM De I Norte year Observations 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 

35-001-0023 1 2011 340 132 129 128 124 

35-001-0023 1 2012 258 141 95 88 70 

35-001-0023 1 2013 356 104 89 88 85 

Total 954 125.7 104.3 101.3 93.0 

2ZS Singer year Observations 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 

35-001-0026 1 2011 329 155 153 128 113 

35-001-0026 1 2012 362 178 111 93 92 

35-001-0026 1 2013 353 114 98 94 93 

Total 1044 149.0 120.7 105.0 99.3 

2Z)J South Valley year Observations 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 

35-001-0029 3 2011 365 419 91 85 77 

35-001-0029 3 2012 316 145 120 115 107 

35-001-0029 3 2013 335 142 120 117 110 

Total 1016 235.3 110.3 105.7 98.0 

Table 5 shows that concentrations are stable at two sites (2ZM and 2ZS) after a notably 

bad year in 2011. A change of ownership and source remediation near the 2ZS site also 

helped. At 2ZV, in addition to anthropogenic sources (unpaved streets and shoulders), 

7 
some agriculture, and the outflow of a dry riverbed with light sandy soils, the area is 

vulnerable to high winds from almost any direction. Note that this is not a small localized 

affect. Depending upon direction and magnitude, a high wind event can impact the 

whole South Valley. 

Table 5· PM1o Data Trends 

2011-13 

Current 2011 2012 2013 Design 

PM10 Sites Sampling Design Design Design 3 year Avg. Value 

Schedule Value Value Value %of 

NAAQS 

'Del Norte 0023 Continuous 128 88 88 101.3 67.6% 

'Singer- 0026 1/1 128 93 94 105.0 70.0% 

'South Valley Continuous 85 0029 

115 117 105.7 70.4% 

' . S1tes 35-001-0023 and 0029. The contmuous momtors are BAM 1020s. 

bSite 35-001-0026 is middle scale and Industry impacted. The monitor is a TEOM. 

Future 

Our meteorologist notes that soil moisture is extraordinarily low this year. After a winter 

with almost no measurable precipitation Albuquerque has already experienced two major 

dust storms caused by Haboobs in other states, though in all fairness they will occur here 

as well if the weather patterns don't shift. 

In the coming year the continuous PM10 monitor at 2ZS Singer (35-001-0026) is 

proposed to replace one Filter-based monitor as the "collocate." The 1/6 filter-based 

FRM will be discontinued. 

Sulfur Dioxide (S02) 

Current- The AQP did not monitor S02 until late 2010. While there are large sources 

in the state, none are close to Albuquerque and emissions are reduced by dispersion over 

distance. Table 6 shows that thus far the S02 monitor is measuring only trace levels, less 

than 10% of the NAAQS. 

Table 6: S02 Design Value, ppb 

2ZM Del Norte year 99th percentile 

35-001-0023 2011 4 

35-001-0023 2012 6 

35-001-0023 2013 4 

Des1gn Value 4.6 

Future -No changes are planned for S02 in the coming year. 

8 
Oxides of Nitrogen 

Current- The AQP monitors NO, N02, NOx, and NOl at 2ZM (AQS 35-00 1-0023), 

the NCore location. Suspected NOx sources include mobile (both on and off road), the 

Airport, and natural gas combustion for hot water and residential heating in winter 

months. However, Table 7 shows that N02 levels are low. (Annual 98'h percentile !-hour 

values averaged over 3 years= 48 ppb compared to a standard of 100.) 

T a bl e 7 : N02 D . es1gn V a I b ue,ppl 

3 year Design 

98th Percentile 2011 2012 2013 Value 

1-Hr Concentration (PPB) 49.9 49 45.4 48.1 

Associated with the new N02 NAAQS is a requirement to monitor N02 Roadway 

emissions. A new site will have to be located and built-up since none of the current sites 

are within 50-meters of the nearest traffic lane. The AQP identified several potential 

sites and participated in a national pilot program with passive sampling. The worst-case 

data from that study showed Albuquerque well within NAAQS annual limits and with a 

high statistically probability of staying below the !-hour standard. As a result, 

Albuquerque is on the "build and hold" list with an anticipated start date of 1/1/2017. 

Future -No changes are planned for Oxides of Nitrogen in the coming year. 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 

Current -Albuquerque/Bernalillo County remains in maintenance status for CO until 

2016. 

The AQP currently operates two (2) CO monitors. One for NCore and the other is for 

CO Maintenance. Both run year around. 

Table 8: CO Design Value, ppm 

2ZM Del Norte 35-001-0023 1 Hour 8 Hour 

Year 1st Max 2nd Max Year 1st Max 2nd Max 

2011 2 1.8 2011 1.3 1.3 

2012 2.5 2.3 2012 2 1.6 

2013 1.5 1.4 2013 0.9 0.9 

2'Z)I South Valley 35-001-0029 1 Hour 8 Hour 

Year 1st Max 2nd Max Year 1st Max 2nd Max 

2011 2.3 2.3 2011 1.7 1.5 

2012 2.7 2.3 2012 1.5 1.2 

2013 2.7 2.4 2013 1.1 1.1 

2 NOy envelopes all Oxides of Nitrogen, and are the most likely to be involved in the formation and 

breakdown of Ozone. 

9 
The hourly high value over the past 3 years is 2.7 ppm (2ZV, 2012 and 2013) which is 

8% of the hourly NAAQS (35 ppm). The 8-hour high average is 1.7 ppm (2ZV, 2011) 

which is 19% of the 8-hour NAAQS (9 ppm). Because of the low CO concentrations, 

both monitors are now 'high sensitivity.' 

Future -No changes are planned for CO in the coming year. CO monitors will continue 

to operate year around at the CO Maintenance site (AQS 35-001-0029), and at the 

designated NCore site (AQS 35-001-0023). 

Lead (Pb) 

Current- A TSP (Total Suspended Particulate) monitor was installed and operational by 

December 18, 2011. Lead data is only available for 2 years at this point so a design value 

cannot be calculated; however the values for 2012 and 2013 are an average of6.7% of 

the NAAQS and attainment issues are not anticipated. 

Table 9: L d D . V I ea es1 gn a ues 

Year ug/m3 

2011 NA 

2012 0.01 

2013 0.01 

Future -No changes are planned for Lead in the coming year. 

PM2.5 Chemical Speciation 

Current- CFR Part 58 regulations require the operation of a speciation sampler at 

approved NCore sites. The Del Norte (AQS 35-001-0023) site in Albuquerque operates a 

MetOne Super Sass and a URG sampler for EC/OC (Elemental and Organic Carbon). 

Speciation filters are sent to RTI, the EPA national analysis contractor in North Carolina, 

and data is reported by the contractor to the AQS. The AQP also uses this data in local 

studies to correlate with data from other samplers. 

Both samplers now operate on the full 1/3 schedule. 

Visibility 

Current- Albuquerque-Bernalillo County does not have any Class I areas3 It exhibits 

good visibility much of the year but does experience a brown cloud in winter months, 

particularly during temperature inversions. For that reason, the AQP currently operates a 

Nephalometer and an Aethelometer at one site, (AQS 35-001-0023). 

3 AQCR !52 includes the Albuquerque MSA and has two Class I areas that may be impacted by the 

Albuquerque airshed, just as we were impacted by the frres in 20 II - 2013. 

10 
Community Scale Monitoring (CSM) 

Current- The AQP has participated previously in CSM studies, but there were none in 

the past year. 

National Core Monitoring Network (NCore) 

The NCore site has been fully operational and compliant since the 2010 start-up date. 

Individual NCore instruments have been addressed in the appropriate sections above. The 

2ZM site also has NCore compliant meteorology. 

11 
Albuquerque- Bernalillo County Network 

Table 10 shows the 2013 network before the changes proposed in this review. 

Table 10: Co2013 Air Network 

Station Description Gases TSP I PM10 PM2.5 Other 

R&P 

1400 

Ill 

Valley API API BAM BAM 

(2ZV), 35-001-0029 400E T300U 1020 1020 

;ide R&P 

35-001-0032 1400 

12 
Figure 2: Albuquerque Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network After Review 

13