Overview
Carrizo Plains is an air monitoring station in San Luis Obispo County, California, operated by the San Luis Obispo County APCD. It provides ambient air quality data as part of the US EPA Air Quality System network.
Carrizo Plains is an operational air monitoring station located at 9640 Carrizo Highway in San Luis Obispo County, California. The station is part of the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network and is operated by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD). It serves as a rural background site, contributing to regional air quality assessment. The station monitors criteria pollutants and meteorological parameters in accordance with federal and state regulations. As a rural site, it helps characterize background air quality in central California, away from major urban sources. The data supports compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and informs local air quality management. Carrizo Plains plays a key role in understanding air quality in the Carrizo Plain region, an ecologically significant area. The station's long-term data helps track trends and evaluate the effectiveness of emission reduction programs. Its rural siting provides a baseline for comparing urban and agricultural impacts on air quality.
Environmental context
The Carrizo Plain is a semi-arid grassland and shrubland ecosystem in central California, home to sensitive species and important for biodiversity. Air monitoring at this site captures background pollutant levels influenced by agricultural activities, dust from dry lakebeds, and occasional wildfire smoke. The station's rural siting provides representative data for regional air quality assessments, complementing urban monitors in San Luis Obispo County.
Frequently asked questions
The Carrizo Plains air monitoring station is located at 9640 Carrizo Highway in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States.
The station monitors criteria air pollutants and meteorological parameters as part of the US EPA Air Quality System network, supporting compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
The station is operated by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD).
Air monitoring stations in the US operate under the Clean Air Act, with data reported to the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS). Stations follow federal reference methods and quality assurance procedures to ensure data accuracy.
Rural stations like Carrizo Plains provide baseline air quality data, helping distinguish between local and transported pollution. This supports effective air quality management and public health protection.
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