Overview
Northampton County Air Monitoring Station in Gaston, North Carolina, is an operational facility reporting to the North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality. It provides ambient air quality data as part of the US EPA AQS network.
Northampton County is an air monitoring station located at 152 Hurricane Drive in Gaston, North Carolina, United States. Operated under the oversight of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, this facility is part of the national ambient air quality monitoring network that supports the US EPA's Air Quality System (AQS). The station contributes to the assessment of criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters, helping to ensure compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station's last reported sample date is December 31, 2024, indicating recent operational activity. While specific parameters measured are not detailed, typical air monitoring stations in North Carolina track pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. The facility's siting in a rural area of Northampton County provides representative data for regional background air quality, complementing urban monitors. Environmental monitoring in this region supports public health protection and regulatory compliance. The data collected aids in identifying pollution trends, informing air quality forecasts, and guiding emission reduction strategies. As part of the broader US monitoring network, Northampton County plays a role in tracking interstate transport of pollutants and assessing the effectiveness of environmental policies.
Environmental context
Northampton County is located in northeastern North Carolina, a region characterized by a mix of agricultural land and forested areas. Air quality monitoring here is important for understanding background pollutant levels away from major urban and industrial sources. The station's data helps distinguish local emissions from regional transport, particularly for ozone and fine particulate matter. This context is relevant for assessing compliance with EPA standards and for supporting health studies in rural communities.
Frequently asked questions
The station is located at 152 Hurricane Drive, Gaston, North Carolina, United States.
The station is operated under the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, which reports data to the US EPA's Air Quality System.
Typical air monitoring stations in North Carolina measure criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead.
The station is part of the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS), which collects ambient air quality data from thousands of monitors nationwide to assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Air monitoring in the US is governed by the Clean Air Act, with the EPA setting NAAQS for criteria pollutants. State agencies like NC DEQ operate monitoring stations and report data to the AQS to ensure public health protection.
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