USVI Public Records

Document text

USVI Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan 2023 ii Table of Contents Page Introduction 01 References 05 Tables Bethlehem Village Site (Location Information) 1 02 Bethlehem Village Site (Monitoring Parameters) 2 02 Vendor’s Plaza Site (Location Information) 3 03 Vendor’s Plaza Site (Monitoring Parameters) 4 04 1 U.S. Virgin Islands Monitoring Network Plan 2023 Introduction The annual network plan describes to the US Environmental Protection Agency which pollutants and other parameters the US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources Division of Environmental Protection measures at its different ambient air monitoring sites and why they are measured at those specific locations. Based on population, 40 CFR Part 58 does not require monitoring in the US Virgin Islands for CO, O3, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5. Based on sources, 40 CFR Part 58 does not require monitoring in the US Virgin Islands for SO2, and Pb. The Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) currently operates two (2) monitoring stations for particulate matter in ambient air. One (1) of the sampling stations is located on St. Croix and one (1) is located on St. Thomas. The objective of the Virgin Islands air monitoring network is to determine the exposure of PM2.5 and PM10 on the population. The goal is to provide ambient data that supports the nation’s air quality programs. The ambient data from this network will drive an array of regulatory decisions, ranging from designating areas as attainment or non-attainment, to developing cost effective control programs. Data from this program will also be used for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) comparisons, development and tracking of implementation plans, assessments for regional haze, and assistance for health studies and other aerosol research activities. The Virgin Islands now maintains the continuous PM10-2.5 monitor to collect data on Sahara Dust episodes passing through the Territory which is more prevalent in the summer months. These episodes of dust storms appear to be passing through the region before summertime more frequently. These events can be documented through sampling and verified through the US Naval website www.nrlmry.navy.mil/aerosol/ and the San Juan Weather Service. There have been questions locally whether these Sahara Dust episodes are contributing to the increase in emergency room visits by asthmatics, or other individuals with respiratory illnesses. PM10 data can be utilized if the VI Department of Health decides to conduct a health study on whether there is a correlation between increase emergency room visits and Sahara Dust. The following is the PM10 and PM2.5 monitoring network plan description which is available to the public for comment. After that review period it must be submitted to the Regional Administrator for approval (40CFR § 58.10). 2 Bethlehem Village Table 1 Site Location Bethlehem Village Site Address Bethlehem Village Management Office Site Specific Name Bethlehem Village AQS Number 78-010-0012 VI County St. Croix Statistical Area US Virgin Islands Coordinates Latitude 17°42’48.57” N Longitude 64°47’0.33” W The Bethlehem Village site was established in July 1979. This site was originally established to Sample for Total Suspended Particulate (TSP). TSP monitoring ended in 1995. PM10 Federal Reference Method (FRM) began in 1987 and PM2.5 FRM monitoring began in 1999. The PM10 primary and collocated FRM samplers were shut down at the site in 2017. The current Met One FRM PM2.5 FRM sampler and Teledyne API T640X PM10-2.5 monitor began operation in July 2018. The parameters monitored are indicated in the following table: Table 2 Parameter Sampling Instrument AQS Method Code Analysis Method Schedule Spatial Scale PM2.5 FRM Met ONE E-FRM 221 gravimetric 1 in 6 days Neighborhood PM10-2.5 Teledyne API T640X 240 Light Scattering continuous Neighborhood Monitoring objective statement: Population Exposure Statement of Purpose statement: The goal of the Particulate Matter, two and a half microns or less (PM2.5) and Particulate Matter ten microns or less (PM10) monitoring program is to provide ambient data that supports the nation’s air quality programs. 3 The ambient data from this network will drive an array of regulatory decisions, ranging from designating areas as attainment or non-attainment, to developing cost effective control programs. Data from this program will also be used for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) comparisons, development and tracking of implementation plans, assessments for regional haze, and assistance for health studies and other aerosol research activities. This site was established to maintain compliance with the regulations. This site is suitable for comparison against the annual PM2.5 NAAQS standard. Plan Changes for Next 18 Months There are plans to re-locate this site in the next 18 months. Waterfront/ Vendor’s Plaza Table 3 Site Location Waterfront/Vendor’s Plaza Site Address # 48B Norre Gade Site Specific Name Vendor’s Plaza AQS Number 78-030-0010 VI County St. Thomas Statistical Area US Virgin Islands Coordinates Latitude 18°20’26.70” N Longitude 64°55’50.93” W This site began data collection with continuous TEOM 1400A samplers in 2007 for Particulate Matter ten microns or less (PM10) and Particulate Matter two and a half microns or less (PM2.5) sampling. Since 2016, only a PM2.5 continuous monitor has been operated at the site. The current Teledyne API T640 Monitor began its operation at Waterfront/Vendor’s Plaza site July 2018. The parameters monitored are indicated in the following tables: 4 Table 4 Parameter Sampling Method AQS Method Code Analysis Method Schedule Spatial Scale PM2.5 FEM Teledyne API T640 236 Light Scattering Continuous Neighborhood Monitoring objective statement: Population Exposure Statement of Purpose statement: The goal of the Particulate Matter two and a half microns or less (PM2.5) monitoring program is to provide ambient data that supports the nation’s air quality programs. The ambient data from this network will drive an array of regulatory decisions, ranging from designating areas as attainment or non-attainment, to developing cost effective control programs. Data from this program will also be used for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) comparisons, development and tracking of implementation plans, assessments for regional haze, and assistance for health studies and other aerosol research activities. This site was established for reporting daily air quality, especially in instances of Sahara dust storms from the Sahara Desert in Africa, and volcanic ash from the Volcano on the Caribbean Island of Monseratt. These storms are passing through the territory throughout the year. There are six levels in the Air Quality (AQI) Index. Each section has a color code level of health concern and AQI value range. This gives the public a better understanding of the air quality. Plan Changes for Next 18 Months There are plans to re-locate the site in the next 18 months. 5 References 1. 40 Code of Federal Regulations. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Part 58 Ambient Air Quality Surveillance Subpart B, C and D. 2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Air Quality System Database.