The NARSTO_EPA_SS_ST_LOUIS_AIR_CHEM_PM_MET_DATA were obtained between April 11, 2001 and July 21, 2003 during the St. Louis - Midwest Supersite program.The overall goal of the St. Louis - Midwest Supersite was to conduct aerosol physical and chemical measurements needed by the health effects community, the atmospheric science community and the regulatory community to properly assess the impact of particulate matter exposure on human health and to develop control strategies to mitigate these effects. Metropolitan St. Louis is a major population center well isolated from other urban centers of even moderate size, and is impacted by both distant and local sources. Local industry includes manufacturing,refining, and chemical plants. St. Louis is climatologically representative of the country's eastern interior, affected by a wide range of synoptic weather patterns and free of localized influences from the Great Lakes, Ocean, Gulf, and mountains. It accordingly provides an ideal environment for studying the sources, transport, and properties of ambient particles.The initial data types included:1) 5-minute PM 2.5 black carbon (880 nm) and uv-absorbing carbon (370 nm) measured by a Magee Scientific Aethalometer (Model AE-21).2) 1-hour PM 2.5 elemental carbon and blank-corrected organic carbon from semicontinuous thermo-optical analysis by the ACE-ASIA method.3) 24-hour PM 2.5 elemental carbon and organic carbon (both blank-corrected) from integrated filter with offline thermo-optical analysis by the ACE-ASIA method.4) 30-minute PM 2.5 metal composition from samples collected with a Semicontinuous Elements in Aerosol Sampler (SEAS) II.5) 5-minute meteorological data (wind, temperature, RH, solar radiation, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation) measured with a Climatronics anemometer, wind vane, thermocouple, lithium chloride sensor, pyranometer, barometer, and tipping bucket.6) 24-hour PM 1.0 filter mass concentration measured by sharp cut cyclone and gravimetric analysis.7) 1-hour PM 2.5 mass measured by an Andersen Continuous Ambient Mass Monitoring System (CAMMS).8) 24-hour PM 2.5 and PM 10 filter mass by Harvard Impactors and laboratory gravimetric analysis.The U.S. EPA Particulate Matter (PM) Supersites Program was an ambient air monitoring research program designed to provide information of value to the atmospheric sciences, and human health and exposure research communities. Eight geographically diverse projects were chosen to specifically address these EPA research priorities: (1) to characterize PM, its constituents, precursors, co-pollutants, atmospheric transport, and its source categories that affect the PM in any region; (2) to address the research questions and scientific uncertainties about PM source-receptor and exposure-health effects relationships; and (3) to compare and evaluate different methods of characterizing PM including testing new and emerging measurement methods. NARSTO (formerly North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone) is a public/private partnership, whose membership spans government, the utilities, industry, and academe throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The primary mission is to coordinate and enhance policy-relevant scientific research and assessment of tropospheric pollution behavior; activities provide input for science-based decision-making and determination of workable, efficient, and effective strategies for local and regional air-pollution management. Data products from local, regional, and international monitoring and research programs are available.

The NARSTO_EPA_SS_HOUSTON_NO3_SO4_C_DATA files contain continuous measurements of PM2.5 nitrate, PM2.5 sulfate, and PM2.5 carbon collected during August 12, 2000 through November 5, 2001 at the Aldine, Deer Park, and LaPorte Houston Supersite monitoring locations. Nitrate measurements were collected using the R&P 8400N Method. Sulfate and carbon measurements were collected using the Prototype ADI Particulate Sulfate and Carbon Monitor Method.The Houston Supersite is one of several Supersites that was established in urban areas within the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to better understand the measurement, sources, and health effects of suspended particulate matter (PM). The overall goals were to characterize the composition and identify the sources of particulate matter in Southeastern Texas, to develop and test new methods for characterizing fine particulate matter, and to collect data on the physical and chemical characterization of fine particulate matter that can be used to support exposure and health effects studies.NARSTO (formerly North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone) is a public/private partnership, whose membership spans government, the utilities, industry, and academe throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The primary mission is to coordinate and enhance policy-relevant scientific research and assessment of tropospheric pollution behavior; activities provide input for science-based decision-making and determination of workable, efficient, and effective strategies for local and regional air-pollution management. Data products from local, regional, and international monitoring and research programs are available.

NARSTO_Texas_PM2.5_Sampling_and_Analysis_Study_1997-1998_ is the North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone (NARSTO) Texas Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 Sampling and Analysis Study: 1997-1998 Data. The data for this product was collected from March 11, 1997 to March 12, 1998. The City of Houston, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), and the Houston Regional Monitoring Network sponsored sampling and analysis of PM2.5 samples taken over the course of one year, from March 11, 1997 to March 12, 1998. Objectives of the study were to determine the levels and chemical composition of PM2.5 in Houston and other cities in Texas and to determine the background levels and chemical composition of PM2.5 transported into Houston. During the sampling effort, 24-hour PM2.5 mass measurements were acquired from 15 sites throughout the state of Texas, using DRI's MEDVOL particle samples. All of the Teflon filters were analyzed for mass by gravimetry and a selected subset of the Teflon and quartz fiber filters were subjected to full chemical analysis. These measurements were taken in anticipation of the U.S. EPA revising PM2.5 and PM10 NAAQS. These results could be used to establish background PM conditions and determine compliance with new PM standards. Various sampler configurations allow evaluation of data precision, accuracy, and validity. NARSTO, which has since disbanded, was a public/private partnership, whose membership spanned across government, utilities, industry, and academe throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The primary mission was to coordinate and enhance policy-relevant scientific research and assessment of tropospheric pollution behavior; activities provide input for science-based decision-making and determination of workable, efficient, and effective strategies for local and regional air-pollution management. Data products from local, regional, and international monitoring and research programs are still available.

The NARSTO_SOS_SC_UPSTATE_PM25_COMPOSITION data were collected during July 2001 and January of 2002 to elucidate the seasonal variability of the aerosols. Samples were collected at a rural location in South Carolina, beginning and ending at midnight in order to associate each sampling event with a calendar day. In all, 40 samples per month were collected (including blanks).The purpose of the study was to determine experimentally the concentration and chemical composition of fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particles with a diameter less than 2.5 um) in South Carolina. The collection of PM2.5 samples on Teflon filters was carried out using a cyclone-based system. Ion chromatography analysis for anions and cations was performed, as well as x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis for crustal metals. PM2.5 samples on quartz filters were also collected in order to determine the organic and elemental carbon (EC/OC) particle concentration.The average concentration for PM2.5 during July of 2001 was 20.85 mg/m3. The major components of the aerosol were organic compounds (38.5%) and sulfates (34.7%). During January of 2002, the average concentration for PM2.5 was 9.4 mg/m3. Again, the major components of the aerosol were organic compounds (64.1%) and sulfates (21.9%).NARSTO (formerly North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone) is a public/private partnership, whose membership spans government, the utilities, industry, and academe throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The primary mission is to coordinate and enhance policy-relevant scientific research and assessment of tropospheric pollution behavior; activities provide input for science-based decision-making and determination of workable, efficient, and effective strategies for local and regional air-pollution management. Data products from local, regional, and international monitoring and research programs are available.

NARSTO_SHEMP_CANADA_PM_COMPOSTION_DATA was obtained between February 14, 2000 and August 1, 2002 during the Study of the Health Effects of the Mix of Urban Air Pollutants (SHEMP). SHEMP was a three-year Toxic Substances Research Initiative study undertaken to advance Canadian knowledge on the possible relationship between PM 2.5 composition and co-pollutants (e.g., NO2, O3) and health effects and on the behavior of PM 2.5 in Canadian cities. The main objectives of this study were to obtain new information on the sources, formation and chemical make-up of PM 2.5 and the critical components of the air pollution mix responsible for health effects. Field measurement studies in Toronto and Vancouver were designed to meet these objectives and to provide the data to test the hypothesis that the organic fraction of PM 2.5 was a critical component with respect to cardio-respiratory disease. In this study, the sources, formation and chemical content of breathable particles in air and the co-occurrence of other air pollutants were investigated. Air samples were collected daily from sites in Toronto and Vancouver over 2-3 years. Chemical content and particle size were determined. Data were also collected on the presence of other air pollutants present in the form of gases (co-pollutants). A small number of samples were analyzed to determine whether the content of specific indicator chemicals in air particles could help find their pollution source (vehicle exhaust, cooking, wood burning etc.). Specific chemicals of breathable particles produced by different types of sources were identified. Similarly, a small number of samples were collected to assess if semi-volatile organic compounds (i.e., chemicals that may evaporate from the particle and are thus often not measured properly) were an important contributor to the mass of breathable particles. The SHEMP study was led by the Air Quality Research Branch of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC). The main collaborators were the Environmental Technology Centre of the Environmental Protection Service and the Chemistry Department of the University of Toronto. The breadth of the study also necessitated that many other organizations provide support, such as the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the Pacific Environmental Science Centre and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone (NARSTO), which has since disbanded, was a public/private partnership, whose membership spanned across government, utilities, industry, and academe throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The primary mission was to coordinate and enhance policy-relevant scientific research and assessment of tropospheric pollution behavior; activities provide input for science-based decision-making and determination of workable, efficient, and effective strategies for local and regional air-pollution management. Data products from local, regional, and international monitoring and research programs are still available.

The NARSTO_EPA_SS_HOUSTON_TEXAQS2000_PM25_ORG_DATA is North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone (NARSTO) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Supersite (SS) Houston, Texas Air Quality Study 2000 (TexAQS2000) Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 Organic Speciation Data. This file contains 24-hour integrated organic speciation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) collected August 15, 2000 through September 30, 2000 at the HRM Site 3, Aldine, and La Porte Houston Supersite monitoring locations during TexAQS2000. The filters were extracted with hexane and benzene: isopropanol. Polar compounds were analyzed after derivatization with either diazomethane or bis-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide. All compounds were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The Houston Supersite is one of several Supersites that was established in urban areas within the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to better understand the measurement, sources, and health effects of suspended particulate matter (PM). The overall goals were to characterize the composition and identify the sources of particulate matter in Southeastern Texas, to develop and test new methods for characterizing fine particulate matter, and to collect data on the physical and chemical characterization of fine particulate matter that can be used to support exposure and health effects studies.NARSTO, which has since disbanded, was a public/private partnership, whose membership spanned across government, utilities, industry, and academe throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The primary mission was to coordinate and enhance policy-relevant scientific research and assessment of tropospheric pollution behavior; activities provide input for science-based decision-making and determination of workable, efficient, and effective strategies for local and regional air-pollution management. Data products from local, regional, and international monitoring and research programs are still available.

The NARSTO_EPA_SS_HOUSTON_TEXAQS2000_WB_TUNNEL data contain gas and particle phase measurements collected in a tunnel in the Houston area during the summer of 2000. The primary objective of this study was to provide data for estimating vehicular emission factors and composition profiles as part of the TexAQS2000 program. Measurements were collected on each day from August 29, 2000 (Tuesday) through September 1, 2000 (Friday). Sampling was conducted during the 1200 - 1400 CDT and 1600 - 1800 CDT time periods each day. Measurements collected during the study included nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and individual hydrocarbon species.The Houston Supersite is one of several Supersites that was established in urban areas within the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to better understand the measurement, sources, and health effects of suspended particulate matter (PM). The overall goals were to characterize the composition and identify the sources of particulate matter in Southeastern Texas, to develop and test new methods for characterizing fine particulate matter, and to collect data on the physical and chemical characterization of fine particulate matter that can be used to support exposure and health effects studies.NARSTO (formerly North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone) is a public/private partnership, whose membership spans government, the utilities, industry, and academe throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The primary mission is to coordinate and enhance policy-relevant scientific research and assessment of tropospheric pollution behavior; activities provide input for science-based decision-making and determination of workable, efficient, and effective strategies for local and regional air-pollution management. Data products from local, regional, and international monitoring and research programs are available.