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Note: In order to conserve paper, printed agendas, presentation descriptions, and speaker bios will not be provided at the training. However, mounted posters of the agenda will be available. We encourage you to go green and access this information via this website. If you plan to print these documents, we recommend that you print double-sided to reduce paper use.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019, General Session (listed chronologically)
Keynote Address
Upcoming Challenges for the Air Monitoring Community.
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5-Year Network Assessment
Beginning on July 1, 2010, federal regulations require each state to assess its ambient air quality monitoring network every five years. The methods for performing the assessment are completely flexible and only need to meet a few criteria. This presentation will discuss the CFR requirements for assessments; the difference between 5-year assessments and Annual Network Plans; what was done in California for the 2015 assessment; ideas for what may be included in the 2020 assessment for the CARB PQAO; and a timeline for completing the 2020 assessment.
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Network Design
This presentation will cover several topics related to network design to assist with decision-making for designing and maintaining a robust ambient air monitoring network. Topics will include balancing resources and priorities when designing a network, the EPA annual network plan and network assessment processes, meeting federal minimum monitoring requirements, considerations when making network changes (i.e. collocation requirements), and finally highlighting guidance and considerations for using sensors/non-regulatory monitoring to complement your regulatory monitoring network.
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The Importance of Data: End User Perspective
The presentation provides an overview of how monitoring data is used to determine where pollution problems exist and how to address them. First, the presentation focuses on CARB’s use of criteria pollutant data collected for regulatory purposes, how concentrations relate to the state and federal air quality standards, and how the data is used in the planning process. Second, the presentation will focus on how the Placer County Air Pollution Control District, as a local air district, applies air monitoring data for public information, regulatory decision, and mitigation/reduction evaluation. The presentation includes real cases from within the District for discussion.
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Station Operations
An overview of station operations and the importance of the site operator in generating data. The site operator is an appreciated first line of defense in a robust quality management system and the foundation of generating valid, quality data.
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Life of a PM2.5 Filter
A visual exploration of the processes and procedures surrounding PM2.5 filters. Watch as a filter travels through initial processing at the laboratory, sampling in the field, and back to the laboratory for final processing and storage. The video will highlight important operational practices required to ensure sample validity and data quality.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019, Breakout Sessions (listed alphabetically)
Exceptional Events Process
The Exceptional Events presentation will include and broad overview of the Exceptional Events Rule requirements, available EPA guidance documents and other resources, definition of “regulatory significance”, and the process for flagging, notifying, and submitting exceptional event demonstrations to CARB and EPA for review.
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Network Design: Real World Exercises
Network Design is not just for setting up a new network. It covers the upkeep and modification of existing networks. This presentation will provide two examples of network modifications which have occurred in two different Air Pollution Control District’s networks in California and discuss the steps which were taken to complete the modifications. This presentation will review the federal network design rules and objectives and minimum monitoring requirements and how they were applied for these two examples. At the end there will then be an exercise on site relocation versus shutdown. Small groups will evaluate a fictitious network and decide whether to shut down or relocate a monitoring station. The class will discuss the different options at the end.
PM2.5 Federal Reference Method: Bridging the Gap between Laboratory and Field Operations
A dual perspective from laboratory and field staff on the requirements of PM2.5 FRM filter-based sampling. Focuses include criteria for sample handling and custody, timelines to meet to ensure sample validity, and the importance of communication.
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SOPs and Addenda
This presentation provides a look into the preparation of quality management documents from both a district and CARB perspective. Topics include the importance of quality management documents, where and how to access resources, document requirements, and the review and approval process.
PDF of Presentation by Mathews
Station Operations: A Day in the Life
A typical day in the life of a station operator. Discusses an overview of the day to day requirements of site operation.
Station Operations: Q&A Forum
A panel of experts will be available to answer questions related to all site operations. The panel includes experts on: site operations, calibrations, data analysis, and laboratory analysis.
The Top 3 Problems with Station Documentation and Solutions
There’s a common saying in the air monitoring field; “If you didn’t write it down, it didn’t happen.” This presentation will delve into the importance of station documentation and what documentation is required on site. Included will be the top three documentation issues air monitoring personnel may face and their solutions. The session will conclude with a station logbook activity.
Where Do All the Data Go?
CARB has a long history of displaying aerometric data online. Our goal is to make data and statistics highly accessible to both agencies and the public. To meet this goal, we maintain several public websites with our users in mind. CARB has two long-standing databases and websites: iADAM for regulatory data and statistics, and AQMIS, which provides these data in near-real time. With a growing need for higher spatial-resolution monitoring and improved public data access (in support of AB 617), CARB is developing a new web portal, AQ-View. AQ-View combines community-scale and regional-scale data in a single user-friendly display.
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Wednesday, June 5, 2019, General Session (listed chronologically)
Technical Systems Audits (TSA): Feel The Love
This presentation will detail what a Technical Systems Audit (TSA) entails, its purpose, what to expect during the process, and the most common findings. Several key areas addressed in a TSA will be discussed, with examples and tips on how to avoid findings in each area.
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CARB Air Monitoring Field Training Program
This presentation introduces CARB’s new field training program for site operators and calibrators and includes information on how you can adopt the document for use in your own organization.
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Performance Audits: Current Practice and Future Activities
The audience will learn the current techniques for auditing gaseous instruments, focusing on lower audits levels, and for conducting flow rate audits on particulate samplers. Then, the latest technologies proposed for future use will be discussed. They include Airpointer, drones, wind tunnel, and remote sensors. Applications to community monitoring and other projects will also be discussed.
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AQDAs and CANs: Friend or Foe
Details on an Air Quality Data Action (AQDA) requests will be discussed, including process and resolution scenarios. The presenter will end the talk with a quick comparison of an AQDA against a Corrective Action Notification, and its process and resolutions.
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Standards Laboratory and NIST Traceability: The Truth is Out There!
In this talk, the audience will learn what services CARB’s Standards Lab can provide and how to request the correct service. In addition, the essential elements of traceability will also be discussed.
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Why QC Program is Critical and Data Validation Template
U.S. EPA will provide an overview of the importance of QC programs and a brief introduction to U.S. EPA's QA Handbook Vol. II Validation Templates.
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One Point QC Checks: A View of District Operations
Ventura County APCD will provide a district view point on performing 1-point QC checks for ozone, including the concentration range and frequency which 1-pt QC checks are performed by the District, and common things to consider when performing these QC checks for your site in order to determine their validity.
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Q&A Session
A panel of experts will be available to answer questions related to all air monitoring activities. The panel includes experts on: field operations, community monitoring, and regulatory programs.
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Wednesday, June 5, 2019, Breakout Sessions (listed alphabetically)
Air Quality Data Validation
The presentation highlights that validation is more than bracketing data with valid QC checks. It is used to identify erroneous values from valid values during the data review process. This presentation will define the criteria, tools, and data review process needed for validating data before it is submitted to AQS.
AQ-Spec: Sensor Performance Evaluations
SCAQMD has established the Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-SPEC) program. The AQ-SPEC program aims at performing a thorough characterization of currently available “low-cost” sensors under ambient (field) and controlled (laboratory) conditions. In this presentation recent results of low cost sensor evaluations are explained, compared, and discussed. Future plans for AQ-Spec program will be described.
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Calibrations vs. Performance Evaluation Audits for Gaseous Instruments
In this talk, the audience will learn the differences between a calibration and an audit of the same gaseous instrument, what standards are used in each procedure, and what the operator can expect during each.
CARB's Sensor Performance Evaluation Program
Low cost sensor use is becoming more widespread, and as such many questions have arisen regarding sensor performance and evaluation. This presentation will delve into the current sensor market landscape, the goal of sensor evaluations, and CARB's sensor evaluation program. Project highlights will include evaluation of sensors used during the Camp Fire and description of CARB's sensor evaluation chamber.
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Electronic Logbooks: Options and Considerations
This presentation will discuss electronic field documentation solutions in the context of electronic logbooks. Great Basin Unified APCD will share their system for electronic logbooks and EarthSoft will discuss EQuIS, their off-the-shelf system. Considerations to take into account when transitioning to electronic logbooks will also be covered.
Taylor Ziolkowski, Vendor EarthSoft
PDF of Presentation by Russell
PDF of Presentation by Ziolkowski
Keeping Things Going: Preventative Maintenance, Instrument Repair, and Troubleshooting
This presentation provides a review the elements of an effective instrument maintenance program. This includes a discussion on preventative maintenance as a piece of ongoing quality control, instrument repair, equipment replacement, and troubleshooting. The discussion will conclude with a troubleshooting exercise.
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Met Data: An Open Forum
This presentation will describe the many uses of meteorological (Met) data, and its importance in forecasting air quality, determining exceptional events, and use in network assessment. Included will be input on the common parameters and tools used to collect Met data, and how to validate and audit Met data.
Metrological Traceability: A Game of Jeopardy
In this fun break-out session, the speaker will discuss the definition of traceability and the details of the seven essential elements behind traceability. The audience will then be challenged with a question-and-answer session in the style of Jeopardy.
Post-AQS Data Confirmation
This presentation is a walkthrough of AQS reports recommended for review during the data certification process, and highlights the importance of data review as a function of quality control. Example reports will feature how to check completeness, improper coding, precision/bias values, flagging, and justifications, among others.
Thursday, June 6, 2019, General Session (listed chronologically)
PQAO Updates and Website Tour
PQAO updates will include new information on technical system audits, major accomplishments, and monitoring roles and responsibilities. A brief webpage tour will highlight important resources on CARB’s Quality Assurance website.
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California Community Air Monitoring
Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617) continues California’s environmental leadership in establishing innovative new policies to improve air quality. This bill directs new community-focused and community-driven action to reduce pollution and improve public health in communities that experience disproportionate burdens from air pollutant exposure. This presentation will include discussion of community air monitoring as part of AB 617, community air monitoring approaches and tools, and emerging or novel community air monitoring applications.
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Thursday, June 6, 2019, Breakout Sessions (listed alphabetically)
2B Technologies: Ozone and NOx Instrument Demos
This is a hands on demonstration of 2B Technologies Personal Ozone Monitor (POM), Model 405 nm NO2/NO/NOx Monitor, and Model 205 Dual Beam Ozone Monitor.
Consistency of Null Code Usage in AQS
The breakout session will provide examples of commonly encountered situations and the type of Null codes that should be used. It will provide information on commonly used Null codes throughout the PQAO, and which codes to avoid when invalidating data.
Corrective Action Processes
In this break-out session, CARB will discuss what constitutes a corrective action notification (CAN), with options that an air district can choose. Several scenarios will be presented to help the audience understand when a CAN is or is not initiated. SCAQMD and BAAQMD will give overviews of the districts' own corrective action request and quality assurance alert, and the purpose and use of each.
Excel Based Electronic Documentation System
The presentation will describe and demonstrate an electronic documentation system specifically designed to address all documentation in ambient air monitoring station operation. This modular system allows for easy customization for each agency's procedures as well as differing pollutant and meteorological measurements.
Met One: Instrument Demo
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Mobile Optical Remote Sensing for Air Quality and Emission Monitoring
FluxSense is mobile analysis tool using Solar Occultation Flux (SOF), which is currently being used by South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). This presentation will describe how it can be used to identify emission and leakage sources. The pollutants which can be identified with FluxSense will be discussed. SCAQMD will describe current and potential future uses of the FluxSense technology.
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Northern Sonoma County APCD Camp Wildfire Response
This presentation is a case study describing Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District’s response to air quality impacts of the recent Camp Fire. Included is a discussion of the instruments and sensors that were available and deployed to monitor the event. The results of the monitoring are reviewed and compared. Also discusses are concerns and recommendations for communication with the public.
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STI AirNow
This is a live demonstration of the AirNow-Tech website and its capabilities.
Technology Update, Regulatory PM Monitoring
This presentation is an update on regulatory particulate matter (PM) monitoring methods. It includes a background of California’s PM problem and monitoring instrument options used by CARB. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of three field evaluations CARB performed on a Teledyne API T-640 monitor.
Teledyne API: T640 Demo
This is a hands on demonstration of the Teledyne API T-640 PM mass monitor. Focus will include demonstrations of the general operation of the monitor, backpressure compensation, and PMT check/adjustment with the Spandust.
Toxic Ambient Air Monitoring Programs
This presentation provides a brief overview of the CARB Monitoring and Laboratory Division (MLD) Toxic Ambient Air Monitoring Programs. Presenters will give a Field and Laboratory perspective, coupled with new technologies and monitoring techniques within the Study of Neighborhood Air near Petroleum Sources (SNAPS).
Wildfire and Incident Air Monitoring Response Coordination
This presentation discusses a variety of wildfire response methods used by CARB's Incident Air Monitoring Section. These include modelling and low to high cost mobile network sensors and instruments. Discussion of acquiring data, interpretation and providing to public in timely manner. Overview of several data visualization sites available.