JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF AIR QUALITY
PASO DEL NORTE
Air Quality Monitoring Network
The Paso del Norte air quality monitoring network is deployed throughout the three regional jurisdictions. The network consists of both continuous monitors and non-continuous samplers.
Continuous Ambient Monitoring Stations (CAMS) contain equipment which observes both gases and particulate matter. Gas monitors measure ambient concentrations of ozone, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen. Particulate matter is measured in two fractions - PM10 (particles between 2.5 microns and 10 microns in aerodynamic diameter) and PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less. Continuous ambient particulate matter monitoring is conducted using a TEOM (tapered element oscillating microbalance) device. El Paso operates a PAMS (photochemical assessment monitoring station). It measures 52 organic gases associated with ozone formation.
Non-continuous monitoring also observes both gases and particulate matter. Non-continuos gas monitoring is conducted using summa canisters which are 5-liter stainless steel tanks. On a specified schedule, air samples are pull into the summa canisters for analysis in TCEQ laboratories.
Non-continuous particle sampling is conducted using either PM10 Hi-Volume samplers located in all three jurisdictions and PM2.5 samplers located in Doña Ana County. El Paso operated 8 non-continuous PM2.5 samplers for 4 years to determine compliance with the PM2.5 standard. The samplers were removed from the field and deployed elsewhere in Texas once it was determined El Paso complied with the PM2.5 standard.
The links below will direct you to continuous monitoring networks operated by all 3 jurisdictions. It should be noted the Cd. Juarez continuous ambient monitoring network was integrated into the State of Texas continuous ambient monitoring network to simplify the acquisition and reporting of data in the Paso del Norte region.
Current and historical data are obtained from both the Texas-Cd. Juarez and the NMED websites.
This website is supported by a grant from the EPA to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of EPA, TCEQ or other Governmental Agencies in the U.S. or México.
Last December 7, 2005