Program Overview
The purpose of Montana’s ambient air monitoring network is to monitor, assess and provide information on statewide air quality conditions and trends as specified by the Montana and Federal Clean Air Acts. The Air Quality Monitoring Program works in conjunction with local air pollution agencies and some industries, measuring air quality throughout Montana. This data provides the factual basis for regulatory decisions as well as provides air quality information to our local counterparts and the public.
Today's Air displays particulate concentrations and health effects for particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter. This information is measured by monitoring equipment located throughout the state. The NowCast air quality concentrations are measured against health effect categories to provide a snapshot of the severity of impacts in your location. Concentrations are updated at 15 minutes past the hour at all stations. The most recent data displayed is the average particulate concentration measured over the previous hour.
For those counties with air quality programs using averaging times beyond the 1-hour average concentration of PM2.5 in issuing air quality alerts, an alternate data tool is under development which will address these data needs and is scheduled for release around the mid-December timeframe. Additional information regarding this tool will be provided in the near future. In the meantime, 1-hour average PM2.5 ambient monitoring data from all stations is available from Today’s Air or the Montana Data Portal for calculating longer average periods.
Recommendations for Outdoor Activities
Wildfire season can frequently coincide with outdoor activities. The Departments of Health and Human Services and Environmental Quality have developed guide to help you make decisions about outdoor sporting events when air quality is a concern. Visit the Air Quality and Smoke page for more information.
Free air quality sensors for your school to monitor Montana’s air pollutant of greatest concern, particulate matter (PM2.5).
Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the University of Montana Center for Population Health Research (UM CPHR) have partnered to arm high schools with free PM2.5 air quality sensors, one indoor and one outdoor so schools can improve decision making regarding the health and safety of students, student athletes, and staff. The data resulting from the indoor sensor will be kept private while the outdoor sensor data will be public and eventually displayed on Today’s Air.
Additionally, this initiative focuses on filling the air quality data gaps in rural and underserved Montana communities to improve access to local air quality data and facilitate better public health messaging. There are no reporting requirements or enforcement attached to this opportunity. The PurpleAirs in Schools Project wants to provide communities with the technology to help minimize Montanan’s exposure to harmful particulate matter pollution.
Contact Keri Nauman at Montana DEQ or Dave Jones at UM CPHR for more information.
Air Quality Monitoring Contacts
Air Program Contacts
Air Quality Monitoring Section
(406) 444-6695
Annual Emission Inventory/Compliance Data - Point Sources
(406) 444-2742