Overview
DECATUR, Alabama is an operational air monitoring station in Decatur, Alabama, operated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. It provides ambient air quality data as part of the US EPA Air Quality System network.
DECATUR, Alabama is an air monitoring station located in Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the national ambient air quality monitoring network and is operated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. The station contributes to the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS), which tracks criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters to ensure compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station's last reported sample date is August 31, 2025, indicating ongoing data collection. As a monitoring site in the southeastern United States, it operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Air Act and EPA monitoring guidelines. Typical air monitoring stations in this region measure pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, though specific parameters measured at this site are not detailed. Decatur is an industrial city in northern Alabama, home to chemical manufacturing, metal processing, and power generation facilities. The monitoring station plays a key role in assessing local air quality impacts from these industries and urban sources. Data from this station supports public health advisories and state implementation plans for air quality management in Morgan County and the broader Tennessee Valley region.
Environmental context
Decatur, Alabama, is situated in the Tennessee Valley region with a humid subtropical climate. The area hosts significant industrial activity, including chemical plants, steel mills, and coal-fired power plants, which can contribute to elevated levels of ozone and particulate matter. Air monitoring stations like this one are critical for tracking pollutant concentrations and ensuring they remain within EPA health-based standards. The station's location near industrial sources and residential areas provides representative data for assessing population exposure and guiding emission reduction strategies.
Frequently asked questions
The station is located in Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama, United States, at the Wallace Development Center. Its coordinates are approximately 34.53°N, 86.97°W.
Typical EPA AQS stations measure criteria pollutants including ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. Some stations also monitor meteorological parameters.
The station is operated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), which is responsible for air quality monitoring and reporting in the state.
The station operates under the US Clean Air Act and is part of the EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network. Data collected supports compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and state implementation plans.
The station provides continuous ambient air quality data used for public health advisories, regulatory compliance, and air quality trend analysis. Its data helps ADEM assess pollution levels from local industrial sources and develop strategies to maintain healthy air quality.
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