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Part of Air Quality Health Index

AQHI monitoring

Air quality data provided on Alberta’s AQHI map is collected at air monitoring stations across the province.

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Air Quality Health Index

Air quality monitoring and the AQHI

Alberta’s ambient air quality monitoring network is delivered through a distributed system, which includes industry, airsheds and the provincial and federal governments.

  • Where stations are located

    Most air monitoring stations are located:

    • in large urban areas
    • near industrial sources of air pollutants
    • in smaller communities impacted by industrial emissions

    Some larger communities have more than one air monitoring station within the vicinity while smaller communities have one station. These stations can monitor a variety of pollutants and meteorological parameters.

  • Types of pollutants monitored

    The 3 main pollutants that inform the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) are:

    • fine particulate matter (PM5)
    • nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
    • ozone (O3)

    Additional pollutants considered in Alberta’s AQHI include:

    • carbon monoxide (CO)
    • hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
    • sulphur dioxide (SO2)
    • total reduced sulphur (TRS)

    AQHI values are available for communities with stations that monitor at minimum the 3 main AQHI pollutants. Individual pollutant concentrations at each station are available on Alberta’s AQHI Map under the Stations or Query & Download tabs.

  • Meteorological parameters

    Meteorological parameters give information about the weather. Certain parameters, like the ones listed below, influence air quality: 

    • Outdoor temperature
    • Wind speed and direction
    • Relative humidity

Monitoring station types

Traditional long-term monitoring stations are the most common stations making up Alberta’s AQHI network. To provide Albertans with a broader view of Alberta’s air quality, the network is augmented with other types of stations.

Traditional long-term monitoring stations

AQHI traditional long term station with light clouds overhead

Traditional long-term air monitoring stations are usually operated in cities and near industrial sources.

Traditional long-term stations monitor the 3 main pollutants needed to report the AQHI (fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone) along with many other pollutants and meteorological parameters using methods in accordance with Alberta’s Air Monitoring Directive. Data from these stations have a high degree of accuracy, precision and reliability.

Deployment

Traditional air monitoring stations are large and costly to operate. These stations are normally set up as permanent infrastructure and typically deployed at a select location for multiple years. Stations deployed in this manner are commonly referred to as “permanent” monitoring stations.

Sometimes, traditional monitoring stations can be deployed at a location for a short term and are commonly referred to as "portable” stations.

Resources

To view validated data from Alberta’s traditional long-term monitoring stations, see:

Airpointers

Airpointer monitoring platform

Airpointers are modular and portable air quality monitoring platforms. They are much smaller than a traditional station.

Airpointers use methods in accordance with Alberta’s Air Monitoring Directive to measure the 3 main pollutants targeted by the AQHI (fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone). Due to their modular nature, these monitoring platforms can be set up in different configurations for analyzing and measuring different pollutants and meteorological parameters. However, an Airpointer cannot accommodate as many parameters as a traditional station can. Data quality from an Airpointer should be consistent to that of a traditional station.

Deployment

Airpointers are relatively easy to transport, deploy and maintain, though additional consideration is required for calibration and operation.

Aeroqual AQY Sensors (pilot project)

Aeroqual box sensor out in the field

The Government of Alberta is piloting the use of Aeroqual AQY small air quality sensors to fill gaps in Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reporting. These sensors are much lower in cost and power consumption than traditional air monitoring stations or Airpointers.

Aeroqual AQY sensors do not use methods currently recognized by Alberta’s Air Monitoring Directive to measure air pollutants, and provide less accuracy and precision than measurements from traditional stations. However, these sensors have been successful in reporting the AQHI and changes in air quality.

Deployment

Aeroqual AQY sensors are portable and easy to transport, deploy, and maintain. Additional considerations are required for their deployments, as they are more susceptible to Alberta’s extreme temperatures and require co-location with traditional monitoring stations before and routinely throughout deployment for calibration.

Resources

For more information about the Aeroqual AQY sensors, see:

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