Air Quality Monitoring Data
Palmer Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5)
The interactive charts below show historical data from this monitor. The monitor operated between January 1, 2010 and July 24, 2019 and was shut down due to budget cuts. The Alaska Air Monitoring Plan contains more information about this monitor.
Note: The vertical axis of these charts extend from -5 µg/m3 to 50 µg/m3. Negative PM2.5 concentrations are included based on EPA reporting guidelines and are within the noise levels of the instrument when the ambient PM2.5 concentration is near zero. The PM2.5 concentrations represent the concentration at local conditions and have not been corrected for local temperature and pressure.
The following graphs show the 24-hour averaged PM2.5 concentrations measured at the Palmer Air Quality Monitor from 2019 through 2000.
2019
The 2019 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3 except for one day affected by wildfire smoke in July. The 98th percentile concentration was 18.7 µg/m3. The Palmer site was shut down on July 24, 2019.
2018
The 2018 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 8.5 µg/m3.
2017
The 2017 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 11.1 µg/m3.
2016
The 2016 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 9.2 µg/m3.
2015
The 2015 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 9.9 µg/m3.
2014
The 2014 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 9.2 µg/m3.
2013
The 2013 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 11.1 µg/m3.
2012
The 2012 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 13.7 µg/m3.
2011
The 2011 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 9.1 µg/m3.
2010
The 2010 PM2.5 24-hour concentrations were below the 24-hour NAAQS of 35 µg/m3. No data were flagged as Exceptional Events this year. The 98th percentile concentration was 11.6 µg/m3.
Glossary
- NAAQS
- National Ambient Air Quality Standard - A health-based air quality standard set by EPA based on a review of available scientific information. NAAQS exist for criteria pollutants including Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ozone(O3), and Lead(Pb).
- EPA's NAAQS Webpage
- Concentration, µg/m3
- The amount of PM2.5 suspended in the air with units of micrograms(one-millionth of a gram) per cubic meter
- Exceedance
- A day when the 24-hour measured concentration of PM2.5 exceeds the NAAQS.
- 98th Percentile
- The daily value out of a year of PM2.5 monitoring data below which 98 percent of all daily values fall. 40 CFR 50 Appendix N - see section 4.5(a)
- 24-hour Design Value (DV)
- A three-year average of the 98th percentile value. An area is in violation of the NAAQS when the Design Values is greater than the 24-hour NAAQS for PM2.5, which is currently set at 35 µg/m340 CFR 50 Appendix N - see section 4.5(b)
- Clean Data Year
- A year when the 98th percentile value is less than the NAAQS.
- Exceptional Events
- Unusual or naturally occurring events that can affect air quality but are not reasonably controllable.
- EPA's Exceptional Events Webpage
- DEC's Exceptional Events Webpage
- Compliance with PM2.5 NAAQS
- 24-Hour: 98th percentile, averaged over 3 years, must be below the standardAnnual: Annual arithmetic mean, averaged over 3 years, must be below the standard. 40 CFR 50 Appendix N - see sections 4.1 and 4.2
| Standard | 1997 - 2006 | 2006 - 2012 | 2012 - 2024 | 2024 - current |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24-hour | 65 µg/m3 | 35 µg/m3 | 35 µg/m3 | 35 µg/m3 |
| Annual | 15 µg/m3 | 15 µg/m3 | 12 µg/m3 | 9 µg/m3 |