Fort Air Partnership’s (FAP) portable continuous air monitoring station has moved to Sturgeon County and began reporting data in early July. The portable station was previously located in Chipman.
The station is located in the northeast part of the County, along Range Road 223 between Township Road 564 and Secondary Highway 570. Live data from the station, plus a daily and forecast Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) will be available on FAP’s website once the station is operational.
A key reason for Sturgeon County being selected as the next location for the portable station was that residents in the area had communicated an interest in air quality monitoring to Sturgeon County Council in 2019. This request was in turn communicated to FAP. Sturgeon County made a formal request on behalf of the residents to have FAP’s portable station located in the selected area.
“This is a great example of how the portable air monitoring station gives us the ability to be responsive to air monitoring needs in the Airshed. Data we collect at this location over time will give all interested parties credible information about air quality in this area,” said Nadine Blaney, FAP’s Executive Director. In addition to FAP’s live data feed, she added station data will be shared via weekly AQHI reporting and quarterly air quality monitoring results. A summary report will be prepared and made public after the station ceases operations.
In addition to weather information, the station will collect and report data on 10 substances: sulphur dioxide, total hydrocarbons, non-methane hydrocarbons, methane, hydrogen sulphide, oxides of nitrogen, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter. This data enables the calculation of an AQHI for the local area. The portable station will remain at its current location for at least six months.