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Air monitoring network

air monitor at Airway Heights

Spokane Clean Air uses seven air quality monitoring locations throughout Spokane County to determine the air quality for our region’s airshed. This
network of air quality monitoring stations enables us to notify the public when air quality is approaching unhealthful levels and to encourage clean air actions to help reduce air pollution.

Included in the seven air monitoring stations is Sunset Elementary School in Airway Heights. This air monitoring location was reinstated this winter, after closing nearly two years ago when construction began at the school. The Airway Heights station measures fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) and will be a useful addition to the air monitoring network during episodes of poor air quality – like wildfire smoke.

Spokane Clean Air and our partner, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), operate the air quality monitoring stations in Spokane County. The network of monitoring sites sample ozone, PM2.5 and coarse particles (PM10).

The ground-level ozone monitors are operated by Ecology and run only during ozone season, which is May 1 through September. During these months, ozone
readily forms due to hot and sunny conditions; during winter and spring, ozone levels are so low that it is inefficient to operate sampling equipment.

Monitoring air quality is a key function of our agency, enabling us to:

  • Report current air quality and provide a 2-day air quality forecast
  • Issue temporary restrictions on wood heating and outdoor burning
  • Help people use this information to make clean air choices

Air monitoring station locations:

  • Airway Heights, measures PM2.5
  • Augusta Avenue & Fiske Street, measures PM2.5 and PM10
  • Broadway Avenue near University, measures PM2.5
  • Colbert, measures PM2.5
  • Greenbluff, Ecology operated site, measures ozone (O3) during ozone season (May-Sept)
  • Monroe Street & Wellesley Avenue, Ecology-operated site, measures PM2.5
  • Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, measures O3 (May-Sept) and PM10

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