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PAMS Data Analysis Support
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
| Data Analysis Objectives | Data Analysis Guidance | Data Access | Tools |
Data Analysis Objectives
The principal objectives of the PAMS program can be summarized as follows:
- NAAQS Attainment and Control Strategy Development:
- Including attainment / nonattainment determinations, assessment of the relative contributions of local and upwind sources, boundary conditions for photochemical modeling, episode selection, and model evaluation.
- SIP Control Strategy Evaluation:
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of implemented control strategies.
- Emissions Tracking:
- Including corroboration of NOx and VOC inventories and trends, corroboration of VOC species source profiles, and analysis of air toxics.
- Ambient Trend Appraisals:
- For O3, NOx, total and speciated VOC. Including adjustments for variations in meteorological conditions.
- Exposure Assessment:
- Including estimation of risk levels and the size of effected populations.
For more information on PAMS Data Uses, see Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 58 Appendix D, Section 4.1 (page 34)
Data Analysis Guidance
The following reports contain information on how PAMS data can be used to meet the stated objectives. Particular emphasis is placed on describing pertinent data analysis tools and techniques.
PAMS Data Analysis Workshop Workbook - October 1997
EPA has sponsored PAMS Data Analysis Workshops in various locations across the country. The central objective of these workshops was to present, explain, and discuss various methods, procedures, and tools for use in analyzing PAMS and similar aerometric data. This HTML document was culled from the seven different workshop workbooks. Sections include: Data Validation, Biogenics, Ozone Forming Potential, E.I. Validation, Receptor Modeling, UAM versus Ambient Data, NOx/NOy and SPAs, Upper-Air Met Data, Transport Analysis, and Trends Analysis.
1996 Data Analysis Results Report - October 1996
This report is a compilation of analytic examples illustrating the uses of PAMS data. Chapters include: Characterization of Ambient Air Quality for Ozone and Its Precursors; PAMS Data in Support of Ozone Modeling Applications; Evaluation of Emission Factors, Models and Inventories with PAMS Data; Observational Based Methods for Determining VOC/NOX Effectiveness; and Quality Assurance
A Workbook for Exploratory Analysis of PAMS Data (PDF 36K) - June 1995
The purpose of this workbook was to describe exploratory data methods useful in preliminary investigation of data collected from PAMS. In essence, this workbook illustrates a condensed sampling of 'first look' analyses which will become part of a much broader set of analytical approaches to achieve stated PAMS objectives
Recommendations For Analysis of PAMS Data (PDF 20k) - February 1994
Though a bit dated, this document is an invaluable resource. It presents a range of statistical analysis techniques capable of addressing the varied objectives of the PAMS program. See Page 3 for a summary of the program objectives cross listed with associated data analysis procedures. A special appendix section provides details on Statistical Trend Detection and Analysis Methods.
Data Access
PAMS data are reported to AIRS, the Ambient Information and Retrieval System. The main AIRS database is being "re-engineered" to create a client / server data system that will facilitate public access to EPA's full collection of air pollution data. You can read about the goals and status of the re-engineering project at the AIRS technical information website. Air quality data for the last 15 years (including all PAMS data) are available now in an interim database that you can access through the AQS Query section of AIRSData. The 2 data analysis tools mentioned below (VOCDat and AMDAS) can import PAMS data in AIRS "AMP-370" format (a file output option of the legacy mainframe AIRS). A list of PAMS sites with AIRS ID's is shown on the PAMS Status Report
AMDAS: AMDAS (The Ambient Monitoring Data Analysis System): AMDAS is
a PC-based, user-friendly, menu driven program that provides air
quality analysts and managers with easy point and click access to
air quality data for browsing, preparing tabular and graphical summaries,
and performing statistical analyses. No knowledge of statistical
data analysis software programs is required to use AMDAS. AMDAS
currently includes features specifically designed for the analysis
of meteorological and air quality data contained in EPA's Aerometric
Information Retrieval System (AIRS). AMDAS can be used to analyze
meteorological data, routine air quality data (i.e., hourly ozone,
oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, etc.), speciated VOC and carbonyl
compound data (i.e., PAMS data), and atmospheric particulate matter
data, including PM-10 and PM-2.5 total mass and speciated sample
data. AMSDAS can be obtained from the Enhanced Ozone & Precursor
Monitoring web site located at http://www.environ.org/amdas/
(see Resources - Tools). 