2010 Annual Monitoring Network Plan 

Prepared by the Air Monitoring Section of Mojave Desert Air Quality Management 

District to meet the requirements of 40 CFR PART 58, SUBPART B. 

Eldon Heaston, Executive Officer 

Christopher A. Collins, Supervisor 

Aleksey Astakhov, Air Quality Instrument Technician 

Fred Wohosky, Air Quality Instrument Technician 

Orlando Salinas, Associated Air Quality Specialist 

Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District, 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA. 92392
2

Table of Contents 

40 CFR PART 58, SUBPART B 

REQUIREMENTS...........................................................................................................................3 

ABOUT THE MOJAVE DESERT AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT ....................4 

NETWORK DESIGN ..............................................................................................................................5

OVERVIEW OF MDAQMD MONITORING STATIONS ............................................................6 

CRITERIA POLLUTANT STANDARDS .................................................................................8 

INDIVIDUAL SITE DATA: 

BARSTOW .........................................................................................................................................9 

VICTORVILLE ...................................................................................................................................10 

HESPERIA .........................................................................................................................................12 

PHELAN .............................................................................................................................................13 

TRONA ..............................................................................................................................................14 

LUCERNE VALLEY.......................................................................................................................16 

EPA OZONE MAPPING .................................................................................................................................................17 

APPENDIX: 

DEFINITION OF TERMS.............................................................................................................................................18 

CRITERIA POLLUTANT INFORMATION..................................................................................20 

NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD.................................................................22 

MDAQMD TOPOLOGY..................................................................................................................................................24
3

40 CFR Part 58, Subpart B Requirement 

This 2010 Annual Air Monitoring Network Review is being submitted by the Mojave Desert Air Quality 

Management District’s Air Monitoring Section to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) 

Region 9. The network review evaluates the adequacy of the ambient air monitoring network with respect to the 

monitoring objectives and spatial scales. This annual assessment is required by 40 CFR Part 58, Subpart B. This 

Network Review is also 

preliminary to the annual data certification with the US EPA and helps Air Districts assess the quality of their data 

before submitting for data certification. This network review has the secondary purpose of informing the public of 

the criteria air pollutants that can affect their health, how the Mojave Desert AQMD monitors these criteria 

pollutants, and what the actual readings are so that our citizens can make informed decisions regarding their 

lifestyles. 
4

About the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District 

From the pinnacles of Trona to the banks of Hesperia Lakes, the MDAQMD’s boundaries envelop some 

of the most rugged yet uniquely beautiful terrain found anywhere in the world. As the regulatory air 

agency for the San Bernardino County’s vast High Desert Region and the Palo Verde Valley of Riverside 

County, the MDAQMD is charged by state and federal mandates with regulating stationary sources of air 

pollution located within its 20,000 square mile jurisdiction. 

As the regulatory air quality agency for San Bernardino County’s High Desert and the Blythe portion of

Riverside County, it is the District’s role to protect human health and property from the potentially 

harmful effects of air pollution. From the District’s beginnings in the early 1980’s – back when it was 

known as the San Bernardino County Air Pollution Control District – until present, our vision of the 

District as a locally governed, responsive air agency committed to serving the citizens and businesses of 

the Mojave Desert has remained unchanged. Moreover, as a result of the successful partnerships for clean 

air that we have forged with our regulated industry and the community, residents of the Mojave Desert 

have entered the 21st century with a healthier environment and with a bright prognosis for future air 

quality. 
5

NETWORK DESIGN 

Purpose and Objective of the Network 

The purpose of the ambient air monitoring network is to assess the extent of air pollution, ensure compliance with 

national legislation, evaluate control options, and provide data for air quality modeling. In general, six basic 

monitoring objectives and five measuring scales are used to determine the network design (see Table 2 and Table 

3). Additional considerations such as availability of power, accessibility to site, security, geographic location, and 

fiscal and personnel resources are also addressed in determining the feasibility of the network design. 

Table 2 Site Monitoring Objectives 

1. Determine highest concentrations expected to occur in the area covered by the network.

2. Determine representative concentrations in areas of high population density.

3. Determine the impact on ambient pollution levels of significant sources or source categories.

4. Determine general background concentration levels.

5. Determine the extent of regional pollutant transport from populated areas, with regards to the 

secondary standards (such as visibility impairment and effects on vegetation).

6. Determine the welfare-related impacts in more rural and remote areas.

To establish or evaluate a site, one must link its monitoring objectives to the physical location of the site. This can 

be done by matching the spatial scale, which represents the sample of air around the monitor where pollutant 

concentrations are reasonably uniform, with the most appropriate monitoring objective. Thus, spatial scale 

represents the physical dimensions of the air parcel around the monitor, and monitoring objective represents the 

overall purpose of the monitor. Combining the proper spatial scale with the monitoring objective explains why air 

monitoring sites are located in particular areas. 

Table 3 Spatial Measurement Scales 

Scale Defined parameter (radius) 

Micro Scale 0 to 100 meters

Middle Scale 100 to 500 meters

Neighborhood Scale 0.5 to 4 kilometers

Urban Scale 4 to 50 kilometers

Regional Scale 10 to 100s of kilometers

Since it is physically and fiscally impossible to monitor air quality in every location, representative samples must 

be obtained. The optimal locations for obtaining these samples are determined by using the monitoring objectives 

and the spatial measurement scales described above. For example, there might be numerous locations where the 

highest concentration of particulate matter may occur. Using these principles, only one or two sites will be 

established to represent all of the high-concentration areas. The same reasoning can be used for different 

types of pollutants. This does not mean that the number of monitoring sites is fixed. To the contrary, the network 

must be dynamic enough to maintain a current representative sample of the air quality.
6

Overview of the MDAQMD Monitoring Stations 
7

MDAQMD currently operates a network of 6 monitoring sites. The following is a brief description of each site:

Barstow, this site is located at 1301 W Mountain View St., Barstow, CA. 

This site is used extensively for modeling purposes. In addition, it is a State demonstration site for the Mojave 

Desert Air Basin. It also is a significant indicator for transport from the San Joaquin Air Basin. Recommended 

changes: None

Hesperia: this site is located at 17288 Olive St. Hesperia, CA. 

This is a boundary site and primarily measuring transport from Cajon Pass and Lake Gregory. 

Phelan: this site is located at Beekly and Phelan Rd., Phelan, CA. 

Like the Hesperia site, Phelan is also a boundary site and primarily measuring transport from Cajon Pass and Lake 

Gregory 

Lucerne Valley: this site is located at 8532 Aliento Rd., Lucerne, CA. 

This is a demonstration site for the PM attainment plan 

Trona: this site is located at Corner of Telescope and Athol St., Trona, CA.

This site represents boundary conditions between Kern and Great Basin Districts. It is also an attainment 

demonstration site for the Searles Valley PM plan. 

Victorville this site is located at 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA. 

This represents the most densely populated area in the Mojave Desert Air Basin 
8

Criteria Pollutant Standards 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 

There are two primary standards for CO, the 8-hour average and the 1-hour average. The 8-hour primary standard is 

9 ppm and the 1-hour primary standard is 35 ppm. A violation of the standard is any two exceedances in a calendar 

year. 

Ozone (O3) 

The 1-hour average ozone standard was revoked by the EPA on June 15, 2005, and has been replaced by the 8-hour 

average standard for compliance purposes. 

The eight-hour primary standard for ozone is 0.075 ppm. Compliance with the standard is determined by averaging 

the 4th highest eight-hour average over a three-year period. This three-year average must be less than or equal to 

0.075 ppm 

Particulate Matter <=10 Microns (PM10) 

The 24-hour Primary standard for PM10 is 150 μg/m3 (155 μg/m3 with mathematical rounding). This standard is 

violated when the expected number of exceedance for the calendar year is more than one. A formula, as detailed in 

40 CFR 50, is used to determine the expected number of exceedances. The formula takes into account the number 

of days sampling occurred and the number of valid samples collected. A 3-year average of these estimated days is 

then used to determine compliance. On December 18, 2006 new monitoring rules from the EPA revoked 

the PM10 annual primary standard

Particulate Matter <=2.5 Microns (PM2.5) 

On December 18, 2006, the EPA implemented new primary standards for PM2.5. These new rules changed the 24-

hour average standard from 65 μg/m3 to 35 μg/m3. The annual average standard of 15 μg/m3 remains unchanged. 

Compliance with the 24-hour standard is determined by taking the 3-year average of the 98th percentile at each 

monitoring site. Compliance with the Annual standard is determined by taking the 3-year average of the spatially 

averaged annual means. 

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) 

Compliance with the NO2 standard is achieved when the annual arithmetic mean concentration in a calendar year is 

less than or equal to 0.053 ppm, rounded to three decimal places. 

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 

A violation of the primary standard occurs when the annual mean exceeds 0.030 ppm or when a 24-hour average of 

0.14 ppm is exceeded more than once per calendar year. A violation of the 3-hour average secondary standard 

occurs when a 3-hour average of 0.5 ppm is exceeded more than once per year 
9

AQS ID 06070001 

GIS COORDINATES N34deg. 53’38”,W117deg., 1’ 28” 

LOCATION County Building 

ADDRESS 1302 W Mountain View St. 

COUNTY San Bernardino County 

DISTANCE TO ROAD 70 meters 

TRAFFIC COUNT 2000 

GROUND COVER Roof 

FLOW AUDIT 1/28/2009 

REPRESENTATIVE AREA Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) 

Pollutant 03 N02 C0 PM10 WDR WSP TMP PRESS 

Monitor Objective Transport Population Population Population N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Monitor Purpose SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS 

Spatial Scale NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Sampling Method API 400 API 200A API 300 ANDR CLIMA CLIMA CLIMA CLIMA 

Analysis Method UV ABS CHEM GFC LAB AERO ANEMO THERM PIEZO 

Start Date AUG-80 AUG 80 AUG 80 AUG 80 JUN-01 

Operation Schedule CONT. CONT. CONT. 1 : 6 CONT. CONT. CONT. CONT. 

Sampling Season ALL YR. ALL YR. ALL YR. ALL YR. ALL YR. ALL YR. ALL YR. ALL YR. 

Probe Height (meters) 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 10.0 10.0 9.0 2.0 

Distance from 

supporting structure 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from 

obstruction on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from structures 

not on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from trees N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance between 

collocated monitors 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Unrestricted airflow 

(deg) 

360 360 360 360 360 360 360 N/A 

Probe Material TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Residence Time (sec) 11.7 12.9 11.8 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Changes within the next 

18 months 

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO 

Suitable for comparison 

to the annual PM2.5? 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

*CHEM Chemluminescence *FLUOR Fluorescence 

*GFC Gas filter Correlation *MDLAB MDAQMD LAB 

 *NBHD Neighborhood *MICRO Microbalance 

*ANDR Andersen *CLIMA Climatronics 

*AERO Aerovane *PYRAN Pyranometer 

*THERM Thermistor *CONTIN Continuous 

*PIEZO Piezoresistive 

*UV ABS UV ABSORPTION 

*ANEMO Anemometer 

5 YEAR TREND OZONE EXCEEDANCES

 

 STATE 

1HR. 

STATE 

8HR. 

FED 

1HR 

FED 

8HR. 

2006 4 0 0 0 

2007 2 0 0 3 

2008 5 0 0 7 

2009 1 18 0 7 

2010 

NUMBER OF OCCURANCES 
10

Figure 1: Looking at the station's Meteorological tower from the south 

Figure 2: Looking at the station's Meteorological tower from the east 

Figure 3: Looking at the station's tower from the west
2

AQS ID 060710306 

GIS COORDINATES N34deg. 30’39”,W117deg 19’32” 

LOCATION MDAQMD Building 

ADDRESS 14306 Park Ave. 

COUNTY San Bernardino County 

DISTANCE TO ROAD 100 meters 

TRAFFIC COUNT 1000 

GROUND COVER Roof 

FLOW AUDIT 01/29/2009 

REPRESENTATIVE AREA Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Pollutant 03 N02 S02 C0 PM10 PM2.5 TEOM WDR 

Monitor Objective Transport Population Population Population N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Monitor Purpose SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS 

Spatial Scale NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD 

Sampling Method API 400 API 200A API 100A API 300A ANDR R&P 2000 R&P 

1400A 

CLIMA 

Analysis Method UV ABS CHEM FLUOR GFC MDLAB MDLAB MICRO AERO 

Start Date JAN-00 JAN-00 JAN-00 JAN-00 JAN-00 JAN-00 JAN-00 JAN-00 

Operation Schedule CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN 1:6 1:6 CONTIN CONTIN 

Sampling Season All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year 

Probe Height (meters) 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 7.3 6.8 16.9 

Distance from 

supporting structure 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from 

obstruction on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from structures 

not on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from trees N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance between 

collocated monitors 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2 meters N/A N/A 

Unrestricted airflow 

(deg) 

360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 

Probe Material TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON 

Residence Time (sec) 15.3 17.4 16.3 16 N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Changes within the next 

18 months 

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO 

Suitable for comparison 

to the annual PM2.5? 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A YES N/A N/A 

*CHEM Chemluminescence *FLUOR Fluorescence 

*GFC Gas filter Correlation *MDLAB MDAQMD LAB 

 *NBHD Neighborhood *MICRO Microbalance 

*ANDR Andersen *CLIMA Climatronics 

*AERO Aerovane *PYRAN Pyranometer 

*THERM Thermistor *CONTIN Continuous 

*PIEZO Piezoresistive 

*UV ABS UV ABSORPTION 

*ANEMO Anemometer 

5 YEAR TREND OZONE EXCEEDANCES

 

 STATE 

1HR. 

STATE 

8HR. 

FED 

1HR 

FED 

8HR. 

2006 4 0 

2007 7 0 6 

2008 16 0 32 

2009 8 53 0 25 

2010 

NUMBER OF OCCURANCES 
3

AQS ID 060710306

GIS COORDINATES N34deg. 30’39”,W117deg 19’32” 

LOCATION MDAQMD Building 

ADDRESS 14306 Park Ave. 

COUNTY San Bernardino County 

DISTANCE TO ROAD 100 meters 

TRAFFIC COUNT 1000 

GROUND COVER Roof 

FLOW AUDIT 01/29/2009 

REPRESENTATIVE AREA Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Pollutant WSP TMP PRESS SOL RAD 

Monitor Objective N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Monitor Purpose SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS 

Spatial Scale N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Sampling Method CLIMA CLIMA CLIMA CLIMA 

Analysis Method ANEMO THERM PIEZO PYRAN 

Start Date JAN-00 JAN-00 JAN-00 JAN-00 

Operation Schedule CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN 

Sampling Season All Year All Year All Year All Year 

Probe Height (meters) 16.9 15.9 1.5 6.9 

Distance from 

supporting structure 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from 

obstruction on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from structures 

not on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from trees N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance between 

collocated monitors 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Unrestricted airflow 

(deg) 

360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 

Probe Material TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON 

Residence Time (sec) N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Changes within the next 

18 months 

NO NO NO NO 

Suitable for comparison 

to the annual PM2.5? 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

*CHEM Chemluminescence *FLUOR Fluorescence 

*GFC Gas filter Correlation *MDLAB MDAQMD LAB 

 *NBHD Neighborhood *MICRO Microbalance 

*ANDR Andersen *CLIMA Climatronics 

*AERO Aerovane *PYRAN Pyranometer 

*THERM Thermistor *CONTIN Continuous 

*PIEZO Piezoresistive 

*UV ABS UV ABSORPTION 

*ANEMO Anemometer 
4

Figure 4: Looking at the station’s tower from the south 

Figure 5: Looking at the station's tower from the west 

Figure 6: Looking at the station's tower from the east 

PM10 Sampler 

PM2.5 Samplers (2)

Meteorological tower 

Gases’ sample probe 

TEOM sample probe. 
5

AQS ID 060714001 

GIS COORDINATES N34 deg, 24’59”, W117 deg, 17’ 8” 

LOCATION Adjacent to Fire Station 

ADDRESS 17288 Olive Street 

COUNTY San Bernardino County 

DISTANCE TO ROAD 100 meters 

TRAFFIC COUNT 250 

GROUND COVER Dirt 

FLOW AUDIT 3/21/2007 

REPRESENTATIVE AREA Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) 

Pollutant 03 PM10 WDR WSP TMP PRESS 

Monitor Objective Transport Population N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Monitor Purpose SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS 

Spatial Scale NBHD NBHD N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Sampling Method API 400 ANDR CLIMA CLIMA CLIMA CLIMA 

 

Analysis Method UV ABS MDLAB AERO ANEMO THERM PIEZO 

Start Date JAN-80 JAN-89 JAN-88 JAN-88 JAN-88 JUL-01 

Operation Schedule CONTIN 1:6 CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN 

Sampling Season All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year 

Probe Height (meters) 4.8 4.8 10.0 10.0 9.0 2.0 

Distance from 

supporting structure 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from 

obstruction on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from structures 

not on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from trees N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance between 

collocated monitors 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Unrestricted airflow 

(deg) 

360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 

Probe Material TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON 

Residence Time (sec) 5.1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Changes within the next 

18 months 

NO NO NO NO NO NO 

Suitable for comparison 

to the annual PM2.5? 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 

*CHEM Chemluminescence *FLUOR Fluorescence 

*GFC Gas filter Correlation *MDLAB MDAQMD LAB 

 *NBHD Neighborhood *MICRO Microbalance 

*ANDR Andersen *CLIMA Climatronics 

*AERO Aerovane *PYRAN Pyranometer 

*THERM Thermistor *CONTIN Continuous 

*PIEZO Piezoresistive 

*UV ABS UV ABSORPTION 

*ANEMO Anemometer 

5 YEAR TREND OZONE EXCEEDANCES

 

 STATE 

1HR. 

STATE 

8HR. 

FED 

1HR 

FED 

8HR. 

2006 4 0 

2007 24 2 21 

2008 29 80 2 58 

2009 18 64 0 43 

2010 

NUMBER OF OCCURANCES 
6

Figure 7: Looking at station's tower from the west 

Figure 8: Looking at station's tower from the south

Figure 9: Looking station's tower from the north 
7

AQS ID 06070012 

GIS COORDINATES N34deg, 35’30”, W117deg, 35’ 23” 

LOCATION Adjacent to Fire Station 

ADDRESS Beekley and Phelan Road 

COUNTY San Bernardino County 

DISTANCE TO ROAD 10 meters 

TRAFFIC COUNT 2000 

GROUND COVER Dirt 

FLOW AUDIT 3/19/2007 

REPRESENTATIVE AREA Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Pollutant 03 WDR WSP TMP 

Monitor Objective Transport Population Population Population 

Monitor Purpose SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS 

Spatial Scale NBHD N/A N/A N/A 

Sampling Method API 400 CLIMA CLIMA CLIMA 

Analysis Method UV ABS AERO ANEMO THERM 

Start Date JUL-87 JAN-88 JAN-88 APR-96 

Operation Schedule CONTIN 

Sampling Season All Year All Year All Year All Year 

Probe Height (meters) 4.0 10.0 10.0 9.0 

Distance from 

supporting structure 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from 

obstruction on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from structures 

not on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance from trees N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Distance between 

collocated monitors 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Unrestricted airflow 

(deg) 

360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 

Probe Material TEFLON N/A N/A N/A 

Residence Time (sec) 6.4 N/A N/A N/A 

Changes within the next 

18 months 

NO NO NO NO 

Suitable for comparison 

to the annual PM2.5? 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 

*CHEM Chemluminescence *FLUOR Fluorescence 

*GFC Gas filter Correlation *MDLAB MDAQMD LAB 

 *NBHD Neighborhood *MICRO Microbalance 

*ANDR Andersen *CLIMA Climatronics 

*AERO Aerovane *PYRAN Pyranometer 

*THERM Thermistor *CONTIN Continuous 

*PIEZO Piezoresistive 

*UV ABS UV ABSORPTION 

*ANEMO Anemometer 

5 YEAR TREND OZONE EXCEEDANCES

 

 STATE 

1HR. 

STATE 

8HR. 

FED 

1HR 

FED 

8HR. 

2006 4 0 

2007 18 0 8 

2008 32 73 0 50 

2009 19 55 0 36 

2010 

NUMBER OF OCCURANCES 
8

Figure 10: Looking at station's tower from the east

Figure 11: Looking at the station from the south 

Figure 12: Looking at station's tower from the west
9

AQS ID 060711234 

GIS COORDINATES N35deg, 46’28”, W117deg, 2’ 20” 

LOCATION Athol Street, North of Elem. Sch. 

ADDRESS Corner of Telescope and Athol St. 

COUNTY San Bernardino County 

DISTANCE TO ROAD 150 meters 

TRAFFIC COUNT 1500 

GROUND COVER Gravel 

FLOW AUDIT 6/1/2006 

REPRESENTATIVE AREA Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Pollutant 03 N02 S02 H2S PM10 TEOM WDR TMP 

Monitor Objective Population Population Population Population Population Population Population N/A

Monitor Purpose SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS SLAMS

Spatial Scale NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD NBHD N/A N/A 

Sampling Method AP1 400 API200A API100A TECO45A ANDR R&P1400 CLIMA CLIMA

Analysis Method UV ABS CHEM FLUOR FLUOR MDLAB MICRO AERO ANEMO 

Start Date APR-97 APR-97 APR-97 APR-97 APR-97 APR-97 APR-97 APR-97 

Operation Schedule CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN CONTIN

Sampling Season All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year All Year

Probe Height (meters) 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 5.0 5.0 10 9.0 

Distance from 

supporting structure 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Distance from 

obstruction on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Distance from structures 

not on roof 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Distance from trees N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Distance between 

collocated monitors 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Unrestricted airflow 

(deg) 

360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg 360 deg

Probe Material TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON TEFLON N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Residence Time (sec) 8.4 9.0 8.5 9.0 N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Changes within the next 

18 months 

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Suitable for comparison 

to the annual PM2.5? 

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

*CHEM Chemluminescence *FLUOR Fluorescence 

*GFC Gas filter Correlation *MDLAB MDAQMD LAB 

 *NBHD Neighborhood *MICRO Microbalance 

 

*ANDR Andersen *CLIMA Climatronics 

*AERO Aerovane *PYRAN Pyranometer 

*THERM Thermistor *CONTIN Continuous 

*PIEZO Piezoresistive 

*UV ABS UV ABSORPTION 

*ANEMO Anemometer 

5 YEAR TREND OZONE EXCEEDANCES

 

 STATE 

1HR. 

STATE 

8HR. 

FED 

1HR 

FED 

8HR. 

2006 4 0 

2007 0 0 

2008 3 23 0 7 

2009 0 5 0 2 

2010 

NUMBER OF OCCURANCES 
10

AQS ID 060711234

GIS COORDINATES N35deg, 46’28”, W117deg, 2’ 20” 

LOCATION Athol Street, North of Elem. Sch. 

ADDRESS Corner of Telescope and Athol St. 

COUNTY San Bernardino County 

DISTANCE TO ROAD 150 meters 

TRAFFIC COUNT 1500 

GROUND COVER Gravel 

FLOW AUDIT 6/1/2006 

REPRESENTATIVE AREA Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Pollutant PRESS 

Monitor Objective N/A 

Monitor Purpose SLAMS 

 

 

Spatial Scale N/A 

 

Sampling Method PYRAN 

 

Analysis Method ANEMO 

Start Date APR-97 

Operation Schedule CONTIN 

 

 

Sampling Season All Year 

 

Probe Height (meters) 9.0 

Distance from 

supporting structure 

N/A 

 

 

Distance from 

obstruction on roof 

N/A 

 

 

Distance from structures 

not on roof 

N/A 

 

 

Distance from trees N/A 

 

 

Distance between 

collocated monitors 

N/A 

 

Unrestricted airflow 

(deg) 

360 deg 

 

 

Probe Material N/A 

 

 

Residence Time (sec) N/A 

 

Changes within the next 

18 months 

NO 

 

Suitable for comparison 

to the annual PM2.5? 

N/A 

 

 

*CHEM Chemluminescence *FLUOR Fluorescence 

*GFC Gas filter Correlation *MDLAB MDAQMD LAB 

 *NBHD Neighborhood *MICRO Microbalance 

*ANDR Andersen *CLIMA Climatronics 

*AERO Aerovane *PYRAN Pyranometer 

*THERM Thermistor *CONTIN Continuous 

*PIEZO Piezoresistive 

*UV ABS UV ABSORPTION 

*ANEMO Anemometer 
11

Figure 13: Looking at station's tower from the west

Figure 14: Looking at station's tower from the east

Figure 15: Looking at station's tower from the south
12

 

AQS ID 060710013 

GIS COORDINATES N34deg, 24’37”, W116deg, 54’ 24” 

LOCATION School Equipment Shed 

ADDRESS 8532 Aliento Road 

COUNTY San Bernardino County 

DISTANCE TO ROAD 100 meters 

TRAFFIC COUNT 3600 

GROUND COVER Dirt 

FLOW AUDIT 3/14/2007 

REPRESENTATIVE AREA Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Pollutant PM10 

Monitor Objective Population 

Monitor Purpose SLAMS 

Spatial Scale NBHD 

Sampling Method ANDR 

Analysis Method MDLAB 

Start Date JAN-89 

Operation Schedule 1:6 

Sampling Season All Year 

Probe Height (meters) 4.0 

Distance from 

supporting structure 

N/A 

Distance from 

obstruction on roof 

N/A 

Distance from structures 

not on roof 

N/A 

Distance from trees N/A 

Distance between 

collocated monitors 

N/A 

Unrestricted airflow 

(deg) 

360 deg 

Probe Material N/A 

Residence Time (sec) N/A 

Changes within the next 

18 months 

NO 

Suitable for comparison 

to the annual PM2.5? 

N/A 

*CHEM Chemluminescence *FLUOR Fluorescence 

*GFC Gas filter Correlation *MDLAB MDAQMD LAB 

 *NBHD Neighborhood *MICRO Microbalance 

*ANDR Andersen *CLIMA Climatronics 

*AERO Aerovane *PYRAN Pyranometer 

*THERM Thermistor *CONTIN Continuous 

*PIEZO Piezoresistive 

*UV ABS UV ABSORPTION 

*ANEMO Anemometer 

5 YEAR TREND OZONE EXCEEDANCES

 

 STATE 

1HR. 

STATE 

8HR. 

FED 

1HR 

FED 

8HR. 

2004 2 0 

2005 3 0 

2006 4 0 

2007 0 

2008 0 

NUMBER OF OCCURANCES 
13

Figure 16: Looking at station's PM10 sampler from the north 

Figure 17: Looking at station's PM10 sampler from the west 

Figure 18: Looking at station's PM10 sampler from the south 
14

EPA Ozone Mapping 

The AIRNOW website (http://www.epa.gov/airnow) provides real-time air pollution (ozone and PM2.5) maps for 

major metropolitan areas around the United States, including the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District. 

The MDAQMD has participated in the program since 2001. 

This website can be used as a tool for which the public can plan their daily activities and limit their exposure to air 

pollution. Eight-hour average peak ozone concentration maps and real-time eight-hour ozone animation maps are 

provided. Colors on the map indicate different concentrations of ozone pollution. The one-hour average values are 

given in parts per billion. The eight-hour averages are converted into Air Quality Index (AQI) numbers. The AQI is 

based on the NAAQS. The index was developed to convert pollution measurements into a common index that the 

general public can more easily understand. 

Air Quality Index 

Levels of Health Concern

Numerical

Value Meaning

Good (GREEN) 0-50 Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little 

or no risk. 

Moderate (YELLOW) 51-100 

Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may 

be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people 

who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. 

Unhealthy for 

Sensitive Groups (ORANGE) 101-150 Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. 

Unhealthy (RED) 151-200 Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of 

sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. 

Very Unhealthy (PURPLE) 201-300 Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health 

effects. 

Hazardous (MAROON) > 300 Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population 

is more likely to be affected.
15

DEFINITION OF TERMS

AQS: Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality System 

Attainment: This refers to the NAAQS used to comply with the federal Clean Air Act. After several years of no 

violations of the NAAQS, the EPA can classify the area as in attainment for that pollutant. 

CFR: Code of Federal Regulations. 

Class I: Federally designated park or wilderness area with mandated visibility protection. 

CO: Carbon monoxide. 

Criteria Pollutants: Six pollutants (CO, Lead, NO2, O3, Particulates, and SO2) that have NAAQS established by 

the US EPA. 

Delta T: Difference between two levels of temperature measurements. 

Design Value: A design value is a statistic that describes the air quality status of a given area relative to the level of 

the NAAQS. For a concentration-based standard, the air quality design value is simply the standard-related test 

statistic. The design value of a pollutant monitoring network is the highest sample value in the network used to 

compare to the NAAQS; e.g. the 24-hour PM2.5 design value for the network is the monitor with the highest 3-year 

average of the 98th percentile. 

EPA: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Exceptional Events: An uncontrollable event caused by natural sources of pollution or an event that is not 

expected to recur at a given location. 

HAPs: Hazardous air pollutants. An air-born chemical that has been listed in the federal Clean Air Act and has an 

associated standard or process requirement determined for it. 

MDAQMD: Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District 

μg/m3: Microgram per cubic meter. 

MSA: Metropolitan Statistical Area. A geographical area designated by the federal government based on the 

concept of a core area with a large population nucleus, plus adjacent communities having a high degree of 

economic and social integration with that core. 

NAAQS: National Ambient Air Quality Standards. A health and welfare-based standard that is set by the US EPA 

to qualify allowable levels of criteria pollutants.

NO2: Nitrogen dioxide. 

NOX: Sum of nitrogen oxide and NO2. 

O3: Ozone. 

Pb: Lead. 

PM: Particulate matter. Material suspended in the air in the form of minute solid particles or liquid droplets. 

PM2.5: Particulate matter of 2.5 Microns in diameter or smaller 
16

PM10: Particulate matter of 10 Microns in diameter or smaller. 

PPM: Parts per million. 

Primary Standard: One portion of the NAAQS. These standards are designed to protect the public health. 

Secondary Standard: The less stringent portion of the NAAQS designed to protect property and the environment.

SIP: State Implementation Plan. SIPs are a collection of state and local regulations and plans to achieve healthy air 

quality under the Clean Air Act. 

SLAMS: State and Local Air Monitoring Station. The SLAMS consist of a network of approximately 5,000 

monitoring stations nationwide whose size and distribution is largely determined by the needs of State and local air 

pollution control agencies to meet their respective State implementation plan (SIP) requirements. Other types of 

monitoring stations include NCORE (national core) and SPM (special purpose) monitors 

SO2: Sulfur dioxide. 

SPM: Special purpose monitor. Special Purpose Monitoring Stations provide for special studies 

needed by the State and local agencies to support State implementation plans and other air 

program activities. The SPMs are not permanently established and can be adjusted easily to 

accommodate changing needs and priorities. 

SSI: Size Selective Inlet. SSI High Volume Samplers are filter-based instruments to measure PM10. 

TEOM: Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance. A continuous particulate measuring instrument used to 

measure PM10. 

VOC: Volatile organic compounds. VOCs are chemical compounds that can easily vaporize and enter the 

atmosphere. There are many natural and artificial sources of VOCs; solvents and gasoline make up some of the 

largest artificial sources. VOCs will react with NOx in the presence of sunlight to create ground-level ozone 

pollution.
17

CRITERIA POLLUTANT INFORMATION 

Abstract of Pollutants: Certain air pollutants, called “criteria air pollutants,” are common throughout the United 

States. These pollutants can cause health problems, pollute the environment, and cause property damage. These 

criteria pollutants are so named since the US EPA has regulations, called the National Ambient Air Quality 

Standards (NAAQS), on 

allowable levels of these substances using health-based criteria. One set of limits, called “primary standards”, 

protect health, while another set of “secondary” standards, is designed to protect property and the environment. 

The US EPA names the following pollutants as criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen 

dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulates (PM10 & PM2.5), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). MDAQMD operates monitors for 

the following criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, ozone, particulates, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. 

MDAQMD does not monitor for lead (Pb) 

Causes and Characteristics of Pollutants 

Carbon Monoxide: 

CO is the most widely distributed and most commonly occurring air pollutant. Total emissions of CO to the 

atmosphere exceed all other pollutants combined, on a weight basis. Fortunately, CO does not persist in the 

atmosphere, but is quickly converted to carbon dioxide (CO2). CO can reach dangerous levels in localized areas or 

hotspots such as heavily traveled intersections or city streets. In addition, CO has been implicated in ozone 

formation. Most people are familiar with CO and are aware that automobiles produce this deadly odorless and 

colorless gas. In fact, this gas is produced almost anytime something is burned. All substances that are living 

(plants, animals) or that were once living (wood, coal, oil, gasoline) are composed of carbon compounds. If these 

substances are burned in the presence of sufficient oxygen, the carbon is converted to CO2 gas. If, as is often the 

case, not enough oxygen is present, carbon monoxide gas is produced. Carbon monoxide’s danger lies in the 

extremely strong affinity that hemoglobin has for it. Hemoglobin, the special oxygen-transporting material in the 

red blood cell, has approximately 200 times stronger affinity for CO than for oxygen. Therefore, if both CO and O2 

are present the bonding between the CO and hemoglobin will prevent the O2 from exchanging within a person’s 

body. This puts a heavy burden on people with heart disease and can aggravate angina, but even healthy people can 

suffer from harmful side effects from CO. 

Nitrogen Dioxide: 

NO2 belongs to a family of highly reactive gases called nitrogen oxides. These gases are formed when fuel is 

burned at high temperatures, and are emitted primarily from automobile exhaust and power plants. Exposure to 

nitrogen dioxide can irritate the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infections, particularly in people with 

existing respiratory illness such as asthma. 

Ozone: 

O3 is a naturally occurring compound in which three oxygen atoms combine together. This is an unstable 

combination, and ozone is continually going through a natural cycle of being formed and then converting back to 

the more stable “normal” double oxygen compound (O2). The cycle occurs fairly rapidly. In the stratosphere (6 

miles and more above the earth), naturally occurring ozone has a beneficial effect of screening out harmful 

ultraviolet light from the sun. However, ground-level ozone is a pollutant and is a component of the regional smog 

that affects the basin. Ozone is not directly emitted into the air, but rather forms in a complex reaction that involves 

heat, sunlight, and a “soup” of toxic pollutants, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

Some of the most common sources of VOCs are gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, and combustion products of 

fuels and consumer products. Ozone is created by sunlight acting on nitrates (NOX) and VOCs from motor vehicles 

and stationary sources, and can be carried hundreds of miles from their origins. Ozone affects the respiratory 

system in people and animals, and also affects the growth of plants. 

Particulate Matter: 

Particulate matter is the term for solid or liquid particles found in the air. Particle pollution is made up of a number 

of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. 

While some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke, others can only be seen through an 

electron microscope. In 1987 the EPA replaced the Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) air quality standard with a 
18

standard for PM10 (particles measuring ten microns or less). Health research studies have found that PM10 has the 

ability to reach the lower regions of the respiratory tract, and thus can affect the respiratory system in both humans 

and animals. Particulates that have high acid levels can cause damage to 

man-made materials and reduce visibility. The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing 

health problems. EPA is concerned about particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because those are 

the particles that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can 

affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects. EPA groups particle pollution into two categories: 

• "Coarse particles," such as those found near roadways and dusty industries, range in size from 2.5 to 10 microns 

in diameter. 

• "Fine particles," such as those found in smoke and haze, have diameters smaller than 2.5 microns. These particles 

can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, 

industries and automobiles react in the air. 

Sulfur Dioxide: 

SO2 is emitted (in gaseous form) largely from burning high-sulfur coal, oil, and diesel fuel. Because this gas is 

usually found in association with particulate pollution, as SO2 is the precursor for fine sulfate particles, separating 

the health effects of these two pollutants is difficult. Together SO2 and PM2.5 make up a major portion of the 

pollutant load in many cities, acting separately and in concert to threaten public health. SO2 contributes to 

respiratory illness, particularly in children and the elderly, and aggravates existing heart and lung diseases. SO2 

contributes to the formation of acid rain, and it contributes to the formation of atmospheric particles that cause 

visibility impairment, most noticeably in national parks. SO2 and the pollutants formed from SO2, such as sulfate 

particles, can be transported over long distances and deposited far from the point of origin. This means that 

problems with SO2 are not confined to areas where it is emitted. 

National Ambient Air Quality Standards 

The EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) manages programs to improve air quality in areas 

where the current quality is unacceptable and to prevent deterioration in areas where the air is relatively free of 

contamination. To accomplish this task, OAQPS establishes the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) 

for each of the criteria pollutants (see Table 1). 

There are two types of standards. Primary standards protect against adverse health effects; secondary standards 

protect against welfare effects, such as damage to farm crops and vegetation and/or damage to buildings. Because 

different pollutants have different effects, the NAAQS are also different. Some pollutants have standards for both 

long-term and short-term averaging times. The short-term standards are designed to protect against acute, or shortterm, health effects, while the long-term standards are established to protect against chronic health effects. Table 1 

lists the NAAQS for six criteria pollutants. 
19

` Table 1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards

The NAAQS set air pollutant concentration limits for six pollutants, called the criteria air pollutants, 

namely carbon monoxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), lead (Pb), 

Particulate Matter (PM10)

[8] and Particulate Matter (PM2.5).[8]

 

The NAAQS for the six criteria pollutants are listed in the table below: 

National Ambient Air Quality Standards [3][4] 

Primary Standard Secondary Standard 

Criteria 

Pollutant 

Concentration 

Limit 

Averaging 

Time 

Concentration 

Limit 

Averaging 

Time 

9 ppmv

( 10 mg/m

3

 ) 8-hour (1)

Carbon monoxide 

35 ppmv 

( 40 mg/m3 ) 1-hour (1)

 

None 

0.03 ppmv 

( 80 μg/m3 ) 

Annual 

(arithmetic mean) 

Sulfur dioxide 

0.14 ppmv 

( 365 μg/m3 24-hour (1)

 

0.5 ppmv 

( 1300 μg/m3 ) 3-hour (1)

 

Nitrogen dioxide 0.053 ppmv 

( 100 μg/m3 ) 

Annual 

(arithmetic mean) Same as primary 

0.075 ppmv 

( 150 μg/m3 ) 8-hour (2) Same as primary 

Ozone 

0.12 ppmv 

( 235 μg/m3 ) 1-hour (3) Same as primary 

0.15 μg/m3 

Rolling 3-month 

average 

Same as primary 

Lead 

1.5 μg/m3 Quarterly average Same as primary 

Particulate 

Matter (PM10) 150 μg/m3

24-hour (4) Same as primary 

15 μg/m3 

Annual (5)

(arithmetic mean) Particulate Same as primary 

Matter (PM2.5) 

35 μg/m3 24-hour (6) Same as primary 

(1) Not to be exceeded more than once per year. 

(2) The 3-year average of the fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average at each monitor within the 

area over each year must not exceed 0.075 ppmv. 
20

(3a) The expected number of days per calendar year with maximum hourly averages above 

0.12 ppm must be equal to or less than 1. 

(3b) As of June 15, 2007, the U.S. EPA revoked the 1-hour ozone standard in all areas except 

for certain parts of 10 states. 

(4) Not to be exceeded more than once per year on average over 3 years. 

(5) The 3-year average of the weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentrations from single or multiple 

community-oriented monitors must not exceed 15 μg/m3. 

(6) The 3-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations at each population-oriented 

monitor within the area must not exceed 35.5 μg/m3. 

The units of measure used for concentrations in the above table are parts per million by volume (ppmv), 

milligrams per cubic meter of air at 101.325 kPa and 25 °C (mg/m3

), and micrograms per cubic meter of 

air at 101.325 kPa and 25 °C (μg/m 3

). See Air pollutant concentrations for the conversions between gas

concentrations ppmv and mg/m3. 

 
21