Science Inventory

PM SUPERSITES PROGRAM

Impact/Purpose:

The PM Supersites Program is an ambient monitoring program intended to address the scientific uncertainties associated with fine particulate matter. The main objectives of the Supersites Program are as follows: 1) characterize particulate matter in a way that contributes to the understanding of source-receptor relationships and supports development of State Implementation Plans (SIPs), 2) develop and test advanced measurement methods for potential use in national monitoring networks, and 3) support health and exposure studies by providing detailed chemical and physical data at one or more central monitoring sites.

The specific objectives of this task are to provide scientific review and coordination of the technical aspects of the Supersites Program. This includes coordination among all Supersites projects and other projects which support Supersites objectives, overseeing of the data management, and coordinating the communication of data analysis and modeling results to the scientific community and other stakeholders. Products include a number of peer-reviewed journal articles (approaching 200 or more), final reports from each project, a relational database than includes not only Supersites data, but most aerometric data collected in the continental US and SE Canada during the period July 2001 to August 2002, and a policy relevant findings synthesis entitled Key and Policy Relevant Findings from the Supersites Program and Related Studies. Also supporting the synthesis is a major international conference where results will be presented from air quality methods, measurements, modeling, and data analysis studies with similar objectives to the Supersites program and during the time period of the Supersites Program, i.e., the last 5-7 years.

Description:

In 1997, the EPA administrator published National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM) that included new standards for PM2.5 (PM with diameters less than 2.5 um). These revised standards stimulated national concern over uncertainties regarding the exposure to and health effects from PM2.5. As a result, EPA was directed to conduct and coordinate research to address the scientific uncertainties associated with PM2.5. From this directive came the PM Supersites Program. The Supersites Program is an ambient monitoring program to address the scientific uncertainties associated with PM2.5 Under this task and its predecessors, NERL/ORD participated in the development of a "Supersites Conceptual Plan". NERL has continued its role in the Supersites Program, serving as one of several coordinators responsible for the program?s technical oversight. NERL's technical oversight role has been to coordinate the efforts of the Supersites projects and other projects which support Supersites objectives, oversee the NARSTO data management efforts, coordinate the development of a nationwide air quality data base, and coordinate the communication of results to the scientific community and other stakeholders.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT
Start Date:09/01/1999
Projected Completion Date:12/01/2006
Record ID: 56182