Overview
BROADUS is an operational air monitoring station in Powder River County, Montana, managed by the MT Dept of Environmental Quality. It provides ambient air quality data for the region.
BROADUS is an air monitoring station located on Big Powder River Road East in Powder River County, Montana, United States. Operated by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality's Air Quality Division, this station is part of the state's ambient air monitoring network, which supports compliance with the US EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station is classified as an Air Monitoring Station and is currently operational, with the most recent sample data recorded on December 31, 2023. As part of the Montana DEQ network, BROADUS likely measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, in accordance with EPA monitoring requirements. The station's rural location in southeastern Montana provides background air quality data for a sparsely populated area, complementing urban monitors in larger cities. The network follows EPA siting criteria to ensure representativeness of regional air quality. The environmental significance of BROADUS lies in its contribution to long-term air quality trends in the Northern Great Plains region. Data from this station helps assess the impact of agricultural activities, wildfires, and regional transport of pollutants. It also supports public health advisories and regulatory decisions by the state and federal agencies. Continuous operation ensures the availability of reliable data for research and policy-making.
Environmental context
The BROADUS station is situated in a rural area of southeastern Montana, characterized by rolling plains and agricultural land use. The local environmental context includes potential influences from farming operations, livestock, and occasional wildfires. As part of the Montana DEQ network, the station monitors criteria pollutants to assess compliance with NAAQS and to track regional air quality trends. The data supports understanding of background concentrations in the Northern Great Plains, which can be affected by long-range transport of pollutants from industrial sources and urban centers.
Frequently asked questions
The BROADUS air monitoring station is located on Big Powder River Road East in Powder River County, Montana, United States. It is a rural station not within a city.
The BROADUS station is operated by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, as part of the state's ambient air monitoring network.
As part of the Montana DEQ network, BROADUS likely monitors criteria pollutants including ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, in accordance with EPA requirements.
Air monitoring in Montana is governed by the US EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act. The Montana DEQ operates monitoring stations to ensure compliance and protect public health.
Rural air monitoring stations like BROADUS provide baseline data on background air quality, helping to distinguish local pollution from regional transport. This data is essential for understanding the impact of agriculture, wildfires, and long-range pollution.
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