Residential Washington Park Air Monitoring Station, Providence, Rhode Island

Residential Washington Park is an air monitoring station located at 216 Ohio Ave. in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The station is part of the national ambient air quality monitoring network and is operated by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Department of Health. It contributes to the US EPA's Air Quality System (AQS), which tracks criteria pollutants and other parameters to assess compliance with the Clean Air Act. The station's last reported sample date is October 26, 2022, indicating ongoing data collection. While specific parameters measured are not detailed, typical urban monitoring stations in Rhode Island measure pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. The station's siting in a residential area provides representative data for population exposure assessment. Environmental monitoring in Providence is crucial due to the city's urban and industrial activities, including transportation and manufacturing. Data from this station supports local air quality management, public health advisories, and regulatory compliance. The station's long-term operation ensures continuity in tracking air quality trends, aiding in the evaluation of emission reduction strategies and community health protection.

Providence, Rhode Island, experiences a humid continental climate with variable air quality influenced by local traffic, industrial emissions, and regional transport. The Residential Washington Park station monitors criteria pollutants to assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Its location in a residential area provides representative exposure data for the population. The station's operation under the Rhode Island DEM and DOH ensures adherence to EPA monitoring protocols, supporting air quality management and public health decisions.