Overview
Sparks Air Monitoring Station in Sparks, Nevada, is an operational facility under the Washoe County District Health Department, contributing to local air quality surveillance.
Sparks Air Monitoring Station is an operational air quality monitoring facility located at 750 4th Street in Sparks, Nevada, within Washoe County. Operated by the Washoe County District Health Department, this station is part of the broader network that tracks ambient air pollution in the region. As an air monitoring station, it plays a role in assessing compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The station collects data on criteria pollutants and other parameters, with the most recent sample recorded on December 31, 2023. While specific parameters measured are not detailed, typical monitoring at such stations includes ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The data supports local and federal regulatory programs, including the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS), which aggregates monitoring data nationwide. Located in Sparks, a city in the Truckee Meadows region near Reno, the station serves a community influenced by urban emissions, transportation corridors, and occasional wildfire smoke. Continuous monitoring helps inform public health advisories and air quality forecasts, contributing to the protection of residents and the environment. The station's operation underscores the importance of localized air quality management within the broader U.S. regulatory framework.
Environmental context
Sparks Air Monitoring Station operates in the Truckee Meadows area, a valley subject to temperature inversions that can trap pollutants. The region experiences emissions from transportation, industry, and residential sources, as well as seasonal wildfire smoke. Monitoring focuses on criteria pollutants like ozone and particulate matter, which are critical for public health. The station's siting aims to represent urban background conditions, supporting compliance with EPA standards and providing data for air quality forecasts.
Frequently asked questions
The Sparks Air Monitoring Station is located at 750 4th Street, Sparks, Nevada 89431, United States, within Washoe County.
As an air monitoring station, it typically measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, in accordance with EPA standards.
The station is operated by the Washoe County District Health Department, which manages air quality monitoring in the region.
Air monitoring in the U.S. is governed by the Clean Air Act and implemented through the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS), which sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants.
The station provides continuous data on pollutant levels, supporting public health advisories, air quality forecasts, and compliance assessments with federal and state regulations.
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