PUBLIC WORKS, DES MOINES IA, FRM, SEQ. SAMPLER, SPM, ROOF - Air Monitoring Station in Des Moines, Iowa

PUBLIC WORKS, DES MOINES IA, FRM, SEQ. SAMPLER, SPM, ROOF is an air monitoring station located at 5885 NE 14th Street in Des Moines, Iowa. Operated by Polk County Physical Planning, this station is part of the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which monitors criteria pollutants across the United States. The station's last reported sample date is October 31, 2025, indicating ongoing operation. The station employs a Federal Reference Method (FRM) sequential sampler for suspended particulate matter (SPM) monitoring, specifically on a roof-top siting. This configuration is typical for urban air monitoring stations, designed to capture representative ambient air quality data. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Air Act and EPA monitoring requirements, contributing to compliance assessments and public health reporting. As part of Iowa's air monitoring network, this station supports local and regional air quality management. Data from such stations inform regulatory decisions, health advisories, and trend analyses. The station's location in Des Moines, the state capital and largest city, provides critical data for a mixed urban-industrial area, helping to protect public health and the environment.

Des Moines, Iowa, experiences a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, influencing pollutant dispersion patterns. The station's roof-top siting is representative of urban background conditions, capturing pollutants from transportation, residential heating, and industrial sources. Particulate matter monitoring is critical in this region due to agricultural activities and occasional wildfire smoke events. The station's data supports compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and contributes to regional haze programs.