PINNACLE PEAK Air Monitoring Station, Scottsdale, Arizona

PINNACLE PEAK is an air monitoring station located at 24301 N ALMA SCHOOL RD in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Maricopa County Air Quality monitoring network and serves the Phoenix metropolitan area. The station is operational and contributes to the region's ambient air quality surveillance. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS), which sets standards for criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. Monitoring stations like PINNACLE PEAK are sited to ensure representativeness of local air quality, often following EPA siting criteria. The station's last reported sample date is September 30, 2025, indicating ongoing data collection. PINNACLE PEAK plays a key role in assessing air quality in Scottsdale and the broader Maricopa County area. Its data supports public health advisories, regulatory compliance, and trend analysis. The station's location in a suburban-residential area helps characterize population exposure to air pollutants, contributing to the EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment.

The station is situated in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, where air quality can be influenced by dust from dry soils, vehicle emissions from the expanding Phoenix metro area, and occasional wildfire smoke. Monitoring criteria pollutants like PM10 and PM2.5 is critical for understanding health impacts. The station's siting in a residential area provides representative data for population exposure assessments.