Regulatory Air Monitoring

Air Monitorin​​g Station Locations

The  Sac Metro Air District air monitoring stations are part of a nationwide network called State/Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS). They measure pollutants such as ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). These stations also measure meteorological parameters such as wind direction, wind speed, relative humidity, temperature, rainfall and solar radiation.

The District also operates a ceilometer (/sēˈlämədər/) that measures mixing layer height, which determines the extend of atmospheric mixing near the ground level. A lower height can trap pollutants closer to the ground and increase the chance of adverse health effects.

Almost all monitoring stations provide​ real-time pollutant concentrations. Hourly updates are accessible by the public on Airnow.gov, CARB's Air Quality and Meteorological Information System (AQMIS) and the Sacramento Region Air Quality app (downloadable from Google Play Store and, Apple App Store.

Air Monitoring Plans

Federal air monitoring requirements requires state and local air agencies to submit annual network plans  to the U.S. EPA on July 1 of each year. These plans contain technical details on Sacramento's air monitoring network and provide information on planned network modifications. Annual network plans are typically posted and available for public comment and review for at least 30 days prior to submittal to U.S. EPA. The most current EPA air monitoring plan can be found here: 2024 Annual Network Plan.

​Air Monitoring Network Assessment

In addition to annual network plans, federal regulations require that we conduct a five-year network assessment to:

1. evaluate whether the network still meets monitoring objectives, including its effectiveness  in areas with high populations of sensitive people;

2. evaluate whether existing sites are still needed;

3. evaluate the effect of proposed monitoring station closures on users of monitoring data, such as nearby states, tribes, and health researchers; and

4. develop recommendations for network reconfigurations and improvements, including whether new technologies are appropriate for incorporation into the air monitoring network.

The most current network assessment can be found here: 2020 5-Year Air Monitoring Network Assessment

For more information on outdoor air quality monitoring in Sacramento County, please contact Mr. Levi Ford at lford@airquality.org or 916-307-0505.