Overview
The Monitor Located on Roof of Cumberland County Jail in Portland, Maine, is an operational air monitoring station. It is part of the Maine D.E.P. Bureau of Air Quality Control network, tracking ambient air quality in the region.
The Monitor Located on Roof of Cumberland County Jail is an operational air monitoring station situated in Portland, Maine, United States. This facility is part of the state's ambient air quality surveillance network, managed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air Quality Control. As a fixed-site monitor, it contributes to the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which tracks criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters across the country. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Air Act and EPA monitoring requirements. While specific technical parameters measured at this site are not detailed, typical urban monitors in Maine's network measure ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. The station's rooftop location on a county facility provides a representative sample of urban air quality in Portland, a coastal city with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial sources. This monitoring station plays a key role in assessing air quality trends in Cumberland County, supporting public health advisories and regulatory compliance. Data from this site helps inform local and state air quality management strategies, including attainment status for National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station's continuous operation ensures long-term data collection essential for understanding pollution patterns and evaluating emission reduction efforts.
Environmental context
Portland, Maine, experiences a temperate climate with prevailing westerly winds that can transport pollutants from inland sources. The city's air quality is influenced by local emissions from transportation, heating, and industrial activities, as well as regional transport from the northeastern US. Monitoring stations like this one are critical for tracking ozone and particulate matter levels, which can vary seasonally. The station's urban siting provides data representative of population exposure, supporting the EPA's goal of protecting public health and the environment through the AQS network.
Frequently asked questions
The monitor is located on the roof of the Cumberland County Jail at County Way in Portland, Maine, United States.
As part of the Maine DEP air quality network, this station typically measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, in accordance with EPA standards.
The station is operated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air Quality Control, based in Augusta.
The station operates under the US Clean Air Act and is part of the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) network, which sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants.
Air monitoring in Portland helps track pollution from local sources like traffic and heating, as well as regional transport, to protect public health and ensure compliance with federal air quality standards.
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