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AIRNow: U.S. EPA’s Real-time and Forecast Air Quality Program

AIRNow: U.S. EPA’s Real-time and Forecast Air Quality Program. Real Time Air Pollution Data Exchange and Forecast Workshop Copenhagen, Denmark April 7-8, 2005. Richard A. “Chet” Wayland Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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AIRNow: U.S. EPA’s Real-time and Forecast Air Quality Program

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  1. AIRNow: U.S. EPA’s Real-time and Forecast Air Quality Program Real Time Air Pollution Data Exchange and Forecast Workshop Copenhagen, Denmark April 7-8, 2005 Richard A. “Chet” Wayland Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

  2. Outline • What is AIRNow? • Collection of Data and Forecasts • Control / Management of Data • Communication of Data • Benefits/Results/Lessons learned

  3. What is AIRNow? • Centralized national air quality network • Started in 1998 • AIRNow provides a common framework for acquiring and distributing air quality information (data, forecasts, health effects, news and educational information) • Diverse stakeholder community • Federal, State, provincial, Tribal and local air agencies • Scientific and health research organizations • Media and public outreach groups

  4. Media Decision Makers and Public Observations Data Management Center Data 115+ State and Local Air Agencies Internet Maps and Forecasts Forecasts 1 hour 30 minutes How AIRNow Works Hourly AIRNow Data Flow

  5. Collection of Data and Forecasts(1 of 4) Air quality notification: Data and Forecasts (3 of 4) • 115+ agencies submit…

  6. Collection of Data and Forecasts(2 of 4) …data from 1500+ monitors and forecasts from 300+ cities Ozone & PM monitors Forecast Cities

  7. Collection of Data and Forecasts(3 of 4) • Data submitted through Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP) • Forecast submittal system • Web-based • Multiple pollutants • Multiple days • Manual and automated

  8. Control / Management of Data • Automated quality control system • Checks: Maximum, Minimum, Constant, Buddy, and Rate of Change • Customizable by pollutant, site, hour • Manual override by staff

  9. Control / Management of Data Supporting Web sites and purposes • AIRNow status • Announcements and data delivery status • AIRNow Notifier • Air quality related stories and events • Centralized contact information database • AIRNow-Tech • Data queries, site information, and resources

  10. Raw data Standardization Health effects 1-hr ozone concentration of 102 ppb 8-hr ozone concentration estimate of 87 ppb Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Communication of Data • Standardized output: Air Quality Index (AQI) • An index for reporting air quality • Uniform throughout the United States • Color has been the “key”

  11. Communication – Products (2 of 4) • Animation and peak maps

  12. Communication – Products (3 of 4) • Current hour maps PM2.5 Point Map Ozone Contour Map

  13. Communication – Products (4 of 4) Observed Peak AQI Map • Specialized maps Weekend National Air Quality Outlook Map Air Quality Forecast Map

  14. Benefits/Results • Improves data quality • Encourages monitor deployment • Increases awareness and understanding of air pollution • Improves public health protection • Strengthens the partnership among different organizations (for example, Scientists, Researchers and Communicators) • Promotes advances in air quality science and data analyses

  15. Lessons Learned • Everyone is nervous about real-time data • Agency firewalls can be problematic for real-time data delivery • Automation is essential • Feedback loop with data providers is critical • Air Quality forecasting is relatively new and much support is needed for operational forecasting • Forecasts need to be from an authoritative agency • Communication to the media and public needs to be simple, easy to understand, and consistent • Partnerships are key!

  16. AIRNow website: www.airnow.gov for more information: wayland.richard@epa.gov

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