Herculaneum, Dunklin High School Air Monitoring Station, Missouri | Environmental Monitoring

Herculaneum, Dunklin High School is an air monitoring station located at Dunklin High School in Herculaneum, Missouri, United States. The station is operated by Doe Run Herculaneum and is part of the broader air quality monitoring infrastructure in Jefferson County. As a fixed-site monitor, it contributes to the assessment of ambient air quality in the region. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality System (AQS), which sets standards for criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Monitoring stations like this one typically measure a subset of these pollutants to ensure compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station's last reported sample date is September 28, 2025, indicating ongoing data collection. The environmental significance of this station lies in its role in characterizing air quality in Herculaneum, an area with historical industrial activity. Data from this station supports public health assessments and regulatory compliance efforts. The station's location at a school provides representative sampling of population exposure, which is critical for community-level air quality management.

Herculaneum is located in Jefferson County, Missouri, within the lead mining district known as the Southeast Missouri Lead District. The area has a history of lead smelting and mining activities, which can contribute to elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals in the environment. Air monitoring stations in this region are essential for tracking particulate matter and lead concentrations to protect public health. The station's siting at a high school ensures that measurements reflect exposure in a sensitive population area.