Malta Air Monitoring Station | Phillips County, Montana Environmental Monitoring

Malta is an air monitoring station located at 2309 Short Oil Road, Malta, Montana, United States. Operated by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, it is part of the state's ambient air quality monitoring network. The station serves Phillips County and the surrounding rural area, contributing to the national air quality surveillance system. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's Air Quality System (AQS), which sets standards for criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. As a state-operated site, it follows EPA siting criteria to ensure representativeness of local air quality. The last reported sample date is December 31, 2023, indicating recent operational status. Environmental monitoring in this region is important due to agricultural activities, including crop farming and livestock, which can generate particulate matter and ammonia emissions. The station's data supports public health protection and compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Its rural location provides baseline air quality measurements away from major urban sources.

The Malta station monitors ambient air quality in a rural agricultural area of northern Montana. Key environmental concerns include particulate matter from farming operations and potential contributions from regional wildfires. The station's data helps assess compliance with EPA's NAAQS and supports state air quality management plans. Its location in Phillips County provides representative background levels for the Northern Great Plains region.