Overview
Salem - Mc Nary Airport is an operational air monitoring station in Salem, Oregon, United States. It contributes to local and regional air quality surveillance under the US EPA AQS network.
Salem - Mc Nary Airport is an air monitoring station located at McNary Airport in Salem, Oregon, United States. The station is operational and serves as part of the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which monitors criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters across the country. Its location at an airport provides representative sampling of urban and transportation-related emissions. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Air Act, which mandates ambient air quality standards for pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. While specific parameters measured at this site are not detailed, typical airport monitoring stations track nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds due to aircraft and ground vehicle emissions. The station's data supports state and federal compliance assessments and public health advisories. Salem, the state capital of Oregon, has a population of approximately 175,000 and is situated in the Willamette Valley. The region experiences occasional air quality challenges from wildfires and winter inversions. This monitoring station plays a key role in tracking local air quality trends, informing regulatory decisions, and providing the public with real-time data through the EPA's AirNow platform.
Environmental context
The Salem area is influenced by a mix of urban, industrial, and agricultural emissions, with periodic wildfire smoke events. Air monitoring at the airport location captures transportation-related pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are critical for understanding local air quality dynamics. The station's data contributes to the EPA's national network, supporting compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and regional haze regulations.
Frequently asked questions
The station is located at McNary Airport in Salem, Oregon, United States, with coordinates 44.883417 N, -123.006188 W.
Typical airport air monitoring stations measure nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds to assess transportation-related emissions.
The station is part of the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which is managed by state and local agencies in coordination with the EPA.
Air monitoring in the US is governed by the Clean Air Act and implemented through the EPA's AQS network, which sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six criteria pollutants.
The station provides real-time air quality data that supports health advisories, particularly during wildfire events or inversions, helping residents make informed decisions about outdoor activities.
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