CARB, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and local air monitoring organizations recognize that continuing education and training are critical components to maintaining continuity, effectiveness, and efficiency within air monitoring programs. To meet those needs, CARB developed three training modules for staff and management that support air monitoring activities. The modules were designed to emphasize the key elements of ambient air monitoring. Training was conducted by subject-matter experts from CARB, U.S. EPA, air monitoring agencies, and instrument manufacturers.
The 2014 and 2015 Training Modules were organized by the California Air Resources Board with the assistance of California State University, Sacramento.
To view the presentations and videos, please follow the links provided below.
Module 1- Fundamentals of Air Monitoring and Station Setup and Operation
May 28 - 29, 2014
This module introduced attendees to the history, purpose, terminology, and network design for air monitoring, as well as station set-up, operation, and maintenance. The focus was to foster an understanding of the Primary Quality Assurance Organization and the ways CARB, U.S. EPA and monitoring organizations can work together to produce high quality data.
Module 2 - Quality Assurance and Data Management
January 14 - 15, 2015 - Southern California
January 21 - 22, 2015 - Northern California
This module covered the data management process from data collection to data recording in U.S. EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) and beyond. The basics of quality assurance, quality assessment, and quality control were covered as they relate to the data management process. Attendees received instruction on the use of SOPs, calibration and routine checks, documentation, data validation, AQS, and concluded with the use of monitoring data to make decisions.
Module 3 - Instrumentation Operation and Media-Based Sampling and Analysis
July 28 - 29, 2015
This 2-day module provided instrument specific training which covered operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the most commonly used ambient air monitoring instruments and methodologies. The training included a discussion of media-based sampling and analysis, special projects, and allowed for some hands-on operation of air monitoring instrumentation.