EPC Joins Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) Program

By Collin Cruz

EPC operates a variety of Air Quality Monitoring stations throughout Hillsborough County which collect data for various pollutants and meteorological conditions.  EPC was chosen as one of only two locations in Florida to implement the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) program. The PAMS network consists of forty-three air monitoring sites nationally. The main objective of PAMS is research, and not compliance, unlike other air quality monitoring EPC performs. Ozone precursor and meteorological measurement data are uploaded to a database. This information is then used to support ozone model development and track trending concentrations of important ozone precursors. To understand the importance of the PAMS program, it is helpful to know how ozone forms and the effect ground-level ozone has on the environment and human health.

 Ozone Formation and Negative Impacts 

Ground-level ozone is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), also known as ozone precursors. Common sources of NOx and VOC emissions include cars, power plants, refineries, and chemical plants. Ozone also forms in higher concentrations in the presence of sunlight, usually in urban environments, due to the increased number of air pollutant sources. However, wind patterns can cause ozone to be transported long distances, which can result in unhealthy levels in rural environments.

Exposure to ground-level ozone can negatively affect sensitive plants by reducing photosynthesis, slowing plant growth, and increasing the risk of disease and damage from insects. Ground-level ozone impacts the entire ecosystem, which can result in the loss of species diversity, changes to habitat quality, and the impairment of water and nutrient cycles. Ground-level ozone can also harm people, especially on hot and sunny days when ozone can reach unhealthy levels. Most at risk are children, asthmatics, older adults, and people who are active outdoors. Depending on the level of exposure, ozone can cause coughing and difficulty breathing and has been identified as a likely cause of asthma.                          

 What type of sample data is collected at the PAMS monitoring site? 

The EPC PAMS site collects two main types of data: VOCs, NOx, carbonyl, and ozone pollutant concentrations; and meteorological conditions including temperature, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, precipitation, mixing height, solar radiation, and ultraviolet radiation. This data is collected and stored in a database used to develop models for ground-level ozone formation. This type of ozone is known for its harmful environmental impacts and effects on humans.