Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
  State of Nevada
Division of Environmental Protection
  Bureau of Air Quality Planning
  901 So. Stewart St., Suite 4001 • Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 687-9349 • FAX: (775) 687-6396
You are here: State of NV > DCNR > NDEP > BAQP > Ambient Air Monitoring Program > Monitoring Sites Network

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program - Monitoring Sites Network

The State of Nevada has operated an air-quality monitoring network for more than two decades. The current network includes 10 monitors that are located throughout the state. Washoe and Clark Counties operate their own independent monitoring programs.

The locations of the monitoring stations are selected using U.S. EPA guidance and in general are established near populous areas. Data from the network is used to demonstrate compliance with and/or progress toward meeting ambient air quality standards and to identify pollution trends. Air monitoring stations may also be set up for special studies for limited time periods to address specific issues with air quality in areas where there are numerous complaints, or where the air quality in a small area is affected by a localized activity.

shelter setup A map and table has been prepared that indicates the locations of the BAQP monitors, exclusive of the monitors of Washoe and Clark Counties.

The BAQP publishes statewide monitoring data (including Washoe and Clark Couties), site descriptions, air quality standards, health and pollutant information, demographics, monitoring programs and air quality trends in the annual Trend Report.

The network is designed to measure the six criteria pollutants. These are pollutants that EPA has determined pose the greatest risk to public health in ambient air. They are ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).

Under 40 CFR Part 50 national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards are established for each of these pollutants. Primary standards are defined as levels of air quality which EPA judges are necessary, with an adequate margin of safety, to protect the public health. Secondary standards are defined as levels of air quality which EPA judges are necessary to protect the public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects of a pollutant. These standards are reviewed on a periodic basis to determine if new scientific evidence warrants a change.

There are 3 types of ambient monitoring networks in Nevada: