Putting Multipollutant Monitoring Into Practice EPA's NCore Network

摘要

In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized requirements for the National Core ("NCore") network, a new national air quality monitoring network comprised of 80 stations where multiple pollutants are measured. This network is intended to support long-term multiple science and policy objectives by providing data from the latest gaseous and particulate monitoring technology across a broad array of representative urban and rural locations. The NCore network became operational on January 1,2011, following a multi-year implementation effort coordinated by EPA and closely supported by state, local, and tribal monitoring agency partners. This article provides an overview of the NCore monitoring program, including details about measurements, technical challenges, data availability, and lessons learned that are applicable to the entire ambient monitoring community.