2014-2015 Monitoring Network Plan 

Approval 

UNiTE'D STATES ENIJIRONivlHH.t\L.. PRUT!::CTIUi-.J /l.toi:IKY 

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Mr. Randy Hock, Manager 

Air Monitoring Section 

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Ohio Environmental Protection Agency 

Division of Air Pollution Control 

P.O. Box 1049, 50 West Town St. 

Colwnbus, Ohio 43215 

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Dear Mr. Hock: , 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reviewed the 'Ohio Air Monitoring 

Network 2014-2015'; the 'Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency 2014-2015 Annual Network Plan 

Summary'; and an email request to move the Kinsman Township ozone site. 

The Kinsman ozone site (AQS 39-1 55-0009) has violated the 2008 ozone standard (0.075 ppm) 

in the past and still records values very close to the current standard so it must be replaced. The 

proposed location within 1 00-150 yards of the current site is acceptable with some modifications. 

The large tree in the area must be removed and the d·ust from the gravel parking lot outside the 

building must be eliminated. Paving the lot would be an acceptable approach to the dust 

problem. 

EPA also requests that if OEPA must relocate the ozone site in Alliance (AQS 39-151-4005) it 

must remain in the same vicinity as the current location because the monitoring data remains 

close to the standard of0.075 ppm (parts per million). The design value tor the 2010-2012 

calendar years is 0.075 ppm and the design value for the calendar years 2011-2013 is 0.071 ppm. 

Please allow EPA to comment on the proposed location before the site is moved. 

The lead sites located at Canton (AQS 39-151-0017) and at Hubbard (AQS 39-155-0012) may be 

discontinued. We received the design value report and both sites are well below 50% of the 

N<ltional Ambient Air Quality Standard (.02 ug/m3 and .01 ug/m3 respectively). The lead 

standard is 0.15 ug/m3. 

EPA believes the Verity site (AQS 39-017-0003) and the Ohio Bell site (AQS 39-017-0015) may 

be combined. Please let EPA know which site will remain. 

EPA agrees with Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency (SWOAQA) that the Yankee Road PM2.5 

site (AQS 39-017-0020) is more representative of a 'middle scale' site than a 'neighborhood 

scale' site. 'Ibe site is located within the immediate area of several facilities and the monitoring 

data from the site will no longer be compared annual standard of 15ug/m3. Nevertheless, EPA is 

concerned that the data from this site suggests that other locations that would be considered more 

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neighborhood in scale might also observe concentrations above the standard. Therefore, EPA 

requests a second PM2.5 site be deployed in the populated area north of the Y ankec Road 

location. EPA wouJd ultimately like to have the monitor operate on a one in three day sampling 

frequency but are comfortable at a one in six day frequency followed by an assessment of the 

data to determine the appropriate frequency. EPA will fund the operation ofthis new site in the 

PM2.5 grant. 

As indicated in a July 10,2014 conference call, EPA agrees that SWOAQA can meet the 

FRMIFEM collocation requirements at the Sycamore site (AQS 39-061-0006). 

The request to move the Lebanon site (AQS 39-165-0007) 20-30 meters from its current location 

is approved. Please continue to use the same AQS number. 

EPA was surprised to learn that the PM2.5 monitoring site at the Dayton Library (AQ. 39-1 13-

0032) was moved to a new location at Sinclair Community Co.llcge (AQ. 9-113 0038) . 

Because tbe new site is located near Interstate 75 with the ongoing construction, higher values 

may be likely at this location. Should the site violate the standard, EPA will require the FRM 

site to continue. 

Due to increased analysis costs and possible funding cuts, EPA determined the PM2.5 speciation 

network would have to be reduced. As of January I, 2015 the foUowing sites will no longer be 

ftmded: Toledo (AQS 39-095-0026); Youngstown (AQS 39-099-0014)· CoJW!lbus (AQS 39-

049-0081 ); and Portsmouth (AQS 39-087-00 12). 

EPA Region 5 i altering our existing waiver system. for many years Region 5 issued waivers 

with no periodic reassessment, only the recent lead waivers were issued with a mandatory review 

date. In 2015 EPA Region 5 would like to review all waivers issued without a mandatory review 

date. EPA Region 5 requests that OEPA submit any waivers (without a mandatory review date) 

that it would like to keep in effect and the Region will reconsider them. · 

EPA has proposed several new rules which may affect OEPA's monitoring network. On May 

13, 2014 EPA proposed data requirement rules to characterize the air quality near large 02 

sources for the one hour S02 primary NAAQS. The characterization could be accomplished by 

either modeling the source or providing monitoring data The document can be found at 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsvslpkg/FR-2014-05-13/pdf/2014-09458.pdf On September 11,2014 

EPA proposed revisions to ambient air monitoring requirement<; for criteria pollutants. The 

proposed changes include special purpose monitoring and quality assurance requirements. The 

document can be found at http://www.gpo.gov/fds s/pkg/FR-20 14-09-11 /pdf/20 14-19758.pdf 

Please be aware of any changes in the monitoring requirements which may occur as a result of 

these proposals. 

EPA appreciates the efforts made by OEPA, Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency, and Cleveland 

Department of Public Health Division of Air Quality to construct three Near Road sites. The 

tasks had many obstacles but all the agencies did a great job. 
If you have questions concerning this letter please contact Patricia Schraufnagel at 

312-886-5955. 

~ Loretta Lehman, Manager 

A~on toring and Analysis Section 

cc: Gary Engler, OEPA 

Jennifer Dines, OEPA 

Anna Kelley, SWOAQA