Ozone
Ozone is a colorless gas found in the air we breathe. At ground level, ozone is harmful to human health and the environment . Ozone monitoring data are reported to the Environmental Protection Agency and stored in AQS (the Air Quality System data mart).
Visibility
Visibility reducing haze is made up of tiny particles in the air that scatter and absorb light, limiting how far and how clearly you see. The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments ( IMPROVE ) network collects air samples and analyzes them to learn about visibility around the country.
Particulate Matter
Particles 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less (found in smoke and haze) and 10 micrometers in diameter or less (found in wind-blown dust) are most likely to harm human health . Particulate Matter (PM) pollution data are reported to the Environmental Protection Agency and stored in AQS (the Air Quality System data mart).
Nitrogen and Sulfur
Nitrogen and sulfur compounds deposited from the air may have harmful effects on soils, lakes, ponds, and streams. Nitrogen and sulfur in precipitation are monitored by the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) National Trends Network ( NTN ) while nitrogen and sulfur in air are monitored by the Clean Air Status and Trends Network ( CASTNET ).
Ammonia
Ammonia (NH 3 ) is a gas that comes from a variety of biological sources as well as from industrial and combustion processes. Airborne ammonia contributes to haze. When deposited, ammonia can also lead to acidification and loss of biodiversity in natural environments. This gaseous nitrogen compound is monitored through the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) Ammonia Monitoring Network ( AMoN ).
Mercury
Airborne mercury (Hg) when deposited can harm birds, salamanders, fish and other wildlife , and cause human health concerns. Mercury deposited through precipitation is monitored by the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) Mercury Deposition Network ( MDN ).