Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (AAQMS)

Our team will tailor your ambient air quality monitoring based on your unique needs.

We have the solutions ranging from indicative monitors to regulatory compliant AAQMS.

Ektimo offer a comprehensive range of ambient air quality monitoring services to all industries. We support the design and implementation of suitable monitoring regimes depending on your specific situation and needs.

Monitoring programs are designed taking into consideration state-based regulations (ie Victorian Environment Reference Standard (ERS)) and the National Environment Protection Measures (NEPM) for ambient air quality.

A complete end-to-end solution when it comes to AAQMS; consulting, scoping, commissioning, monitoring, sampling, analysis, servicing, calibrating, data validation and reporting.

NATA accredited according to a range of AS 3580 series methods, and regulatory compliant with Australian requirements.

Siting Requirements PM10 PM2.5

AS 3580.1.1 – Guide to siting air monitoring equipment

PM10

AS 3580.9.6 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM10 high volume sampler with size selective inlet – Gravimetric Method
AS 3580.9.7 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – Dichotomous sampler (PM10, coarse PM and PM2.5) – Gravimetric Method
AS 3580.9.8 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM10 continuous direct mass method using a TEOM
AS 3580.9.9 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM10 low volume sampler – Gravimetric method
AS 3580.9.11 – Determination of suspended particulate matter — PM10 beta attenuation monitors
AS 3580.9.16 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM10 continuous direct mass method using a TEOM incorporating a FDMS unit

PM2.5

AS 3580.9.10 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM2.5 low volume sampler – Gravimetric method
AS 3580.9.12 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM2.5 beta attenuation monitors
AS 3580.9.13 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM2.5 continuous direct mass method using a TEOM
AS 3580.9.14 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM2.5 high volume sampler with size selective inlet – Gravimetric Method

Particulate Matter (TSP)

AS 3580.9.3 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – Total suspended particulates (TSP) – High volume sampler – Gravimetric method
AS 3580.10.1 – Determination of particulate matter – Deposited matter – Gravimetric method

Nitrogen Oxides (NO & NO2)

AS 3580.5.1 – Determination of oxides of nitrogen – Direct reading instrumental method

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

AS 3580.4.1 – Determination of sulfur dioxide – Direct reading instrumental method

Ozone (O3)

AS 3580.6.1 – Determination of ozone – Direct reading instrumental method

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

AS 3580.7.1 – Determination of carbon monoxide – Direct reading instrumental method

Metals

AS 3580.9.15 – Determination of suspended particulate matter – Particulate metals high or low volume sample gravimetric collection – Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometric method

Methane (CH4) & Non-Methane Organics

AS 3580.11.1 – Determination of methane and non-methane organic compounds in ambient air – Direct reading instrumental method

Fluoride (F)

AS 3580.13.2 – Determination of gaseous and acid-soluble particulate fluorides – Manual, double filter paper sampling

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH’s)

AS 3580.16 – Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)

Road Tunnels

AS 3580.18 – Measurement of road tunnel air quality

Weather / Meteorological

AS 3580.14 – Meteorological monitoring for ambient air quality monitoring applications

Data Validation

AS 3580.19 – Ambient air quality data validation and reporting

PDF Version

Experts in air quality, odour and emission monitoring.

Ektimo is accredited with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for air emission monitoring methods in Australia, including the industry standard AS, USEPA and ISO methods

For full details of Ektimo’s scope of accreditation, search for Ektimo on the NATA website.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does an industrial facility need ambient air quality monitoring?

An industrial facility may need ambient air quality monitoring to understand potential impacts on surrounding air quality, support environmental approvals, meet environmental licence or regulatory requirements, investigate community concerns or assess changes associated with a project. The appropriate monitoring requirements depend on the facility, location, pollutants of concern and applicable Australian regulatory requirements.

Can Ektimo design an ambient air quality monitoring program?

Yes. Ektimo can help design ambient air quality monitoring programs based on the site’s objectives, pollutants of concern, regulatory requirements and surrounding environment. Program design may consider monitoring locations, instrumentation, sampling duration, meteorological conditions, data-quality requirements, calibration, validation and reporting requirements.

What pollutants can be monitored in ambient air?

The pollutants monitored depend on the site, potential emission sources and monitoring objectives. Common examples include PM10, PM2.5, NOx and SO₂, with other pollutants monitored where relevant. The monitoring program should identify pollutants that are important for the facility, surrounding environment and applicable Australian regulatory, environmental licence or approval requirements.

How do you determine where an ambient air monitoring station should be located?

Monitoring station locations should be selected according to the monitoring objectives, emission sources, surrounding land uses, meteorological conditions, terrain and applicable Australian monitoring standards or regulatory requirements. The objective is to collect representative data that can help assess air quality at relevant locations and support the intended environmental or compliance assessment.

Can ambient air monitoring support EPA or environmental approval requirements?

Yes. Ambient air quality monitoring can support environmental approvals, environmental licence conditions, regulatory assessments and ongoing environmental management. The specific monitoring design, pollutants, duration, methods and reporting requirements depend on the applicable approval, environmental licence and Australian environmental regulator. Ektimo can help develop monitoring programs suited to the project’s requirements.

How long does an ambient air monitoring program need to run?

There is no single monitoring duration that applies to every project. The required duration depends on the purpose of the monitoring, regulatory or approval requirements, pollutants, seasonal conditions and data-quality objectives. Some projects require short-term investigations, while others require longer-term or continuous monitoring to establish representative air quality data.

How is ambient air quality data validated?

Ambient air quality data is validated through quality-assurance and quality-control processes that can include instrument calibration, equipment checks, data review, identification of invalid measurements and assessment of instrument performance. Meteorological and operational information may also be considered. Validation can be undertaken in accordance with AS 3580.19 – Ambient air quality data validation and reporting, for which Ektimo is NATA accredited.

Can Ektimo install and operate an ambient air monitoring system?

Yes. Ektimo provides services across the ambient air monitoring process, including program design, equipment installation, commissioning, calibration, monitoring operations, data validation and reporting. The exact services provided depend on the project’s requirements, monitoring objectives and applicable regulatory conditions.

There are many different instruments available to measure the same pollutants. Are they all the same?

No. Air quality instruments generally fall into three categories: reference, equivalent, and indicative methods. The right choice depends on the level of accuracy and confidence required for your application.

Reference methods are well-established techniques that form the basis of a particular measurement. For example, gravimetric sampling is the reference method for particulate matter.

Equivalent methods are instruments that have been demonstrated to produce results comparable to the reference method and have been independently assessed by organisations such as the US EPA or TÜV in Europe.

For regulatory monitoring and compliance purposes, only reference or equivalent methods should be used. In Australia, these instruments must also be operated in accordance with the relevant AS/NZS 3580 standards.

Indicative methods are typically used for operational monitoring, environmental management, screening investigations, and identifying emission sources. Performance can vary significantly between indicative instruments, so selecting the right technology requires consideration of factors such as the pollutant of interest, concentration range, operating environment, and budget.