Overview
Southern Maryland is an air monitoring station in Charles County, Maryland, operated by the Maryland Department of the Environment. It provides ambient air quality data as part of the US EPA Air Quality System network.
Southern Maryland is an air monitoring station located at 14320 Oaks Road in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The station is operated by the Maryland Department of the Environment and is part of the national ambient air quality monitoring network. It contributes to the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS), which tracks criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters to assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station's last reported sample date is October 31, 2025, indicating ongoing operational status. As part of the Maryland network, it likely measures pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, though specific parameters are not detailed. The station's siting in a rural area of Charles County provides representative background air quality data for the region, complementing urban monitors in nearby Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Environmental monitoring at this station supports public health protection by tracking air pollution trends and informing regulatory actions. The data collected helps assess the effectiveness of emission reduction programs and contributes to regional air quality planning. The station's location in a mixed-use area with agricultural and residential land uses provides valuable context for understanding local air quality dynamics.
Environmental context
The Southern Maryland air monitoring station operates within the Chesapeake Bay airshed, where ozone and fine particulate matter are key concerns due to transported pollution from upwind urban and industrial sources. The station's rural siting helps characterize regional background concentrations, which is critical for distinguishing local emissions from transported pollution. Monitoring data from this station supports the Maryland Department of the Environment's efforts to meet EPA NAAQS and to develop State Implementation Plans for air quality improvement.
Frequently asked questions
The Southern Maryland air monitoring station is located at 14320 Oaks Road in Charles County, Maryland, United States.
The station is operated by the Maryland Department of the Environment, which is the reporting agency for the monitoring data.
Typical air monitoring stations in Maryland measure criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, as part of the EPA Air Quality System.
The station provides data used by the Maryland Department of the Environment to assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and to develop air quality management plans.
The rural location in Charles County helps capture regional background air quality, which is important for distinguishing local pollution sources from transported emissions and for understanding air quality trends in the Chesapeake Bay region.
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