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Buncombe County air program moves into new lab, seeks to retain EPA sensor loans and expand monitoring
Summary
Staff reported a move into a new laboratory, plans to establish an AB Tech Zone site in December, and negotiations to take ownership of EPA-loaned PurpleAir sensors for ongoing non-regulatory monitoring.
Buncombe County air-monitoring staff told the Air Quality Board they have moved into a new lab space and are preparing to expand the county’s sensor and regulatory monitoring network. Steve, the program’s monitoring lead, said the lab move provides storage and workspace for instrument repairs and that an AB Tech Zone monitor site is on track for an installation window of late December to early January.
Staff said the state and EPA previously deployed PurpleAir sensor units across the county for post-storm monitoring and that the state plans to end its participation approximately one year after the storm. The county is negotiating with EPA to assume the loaned sensors so they remain in place. Steve said EPA staff were amenable to transferring the loaned equipment and that the county and state will meet further to finalize logistics.
In routine regulatory monitoring numbers, staff reported annual completeness of 97% for the BAM PM2.5 monitor and 93% completeness so far for ozone monitoring at the Bend Creek site. The program plans to deploy additional ozone monitors next year and to colocate some instruments in the new AB Tech Zone lab space.
Board members asked for a tour of the new lab at the board’s next meeting, and staff said the boardroom AV equipment installation is expected before the November meeting so that a tour and demonstration will be feasible.
