Overview
Folwell School is an operational air monitoring station in Rochester, Minnesota, operated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. It contributes to the US EPA Air Quality System network, tracking criteria pollutants and supporting public health.
Folwell School is an operational air monitoring station located at 603 15 Ave SW in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the state's ambient air quality surveillance network managed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Division of Air Quality. The station provides continuous data on key atmospheric pollutants, supporting compliance with the US EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS), which standardizes monitoring methods and data reporting across the country. As a fixed-site monitor in an urban setting, it typically measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ensures data quality through regular calibration and audits, maintaining the integrity of the long-term record. Environmental monitoring at Folwell School serves the Rochester community by providing real-time air quality information that informs public health advisories and regulatory actions. The station's location in a residential area with nearby schools makes it particularly valuable for assessing exposure risks. Its data contributes to regional air quality trends analysis and supports the development of emission reduction strategies in Olmsted County.
Environmental context
The station's location in Rochester, a growing city in southeastern Minnesota, places it in a region influenced by both urban emissions and agricultural activities. Monitoring here helps characterize the interplay between local sources like traffic and industry and regional transport of pollutants. The station's siting is representative of typical residential exposure, which is critical for accurate health risk assessments. Continuous operation ensures that short-term pollution events, such as those from seasonal agricultural burning or temperature inversions, are captured.
Frequently asked questions
Folwell School is located at 603 15 Ave SW in Rochester, Minnesota, United States.
As a typical US EPA AQS station, Folwell School likely measures criteria pollutants including ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead.
The station is operated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Division of Air Quality.
Air monitoring in the US is governed by the Clean Air Act and implemented through the EPA Air Quality System (AQS), which sets standards for monitoring methods, quality assurance, and data reporting.
The station provides continuous data that helps the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency assess compliance with NAAQS, issue air quality alerts, and develop strategies to reduce pollution in the Rochester area.
Other Air Monitoring Station plants in United States · 6 nearby