Rocky Flats routinely conducts ambient, effluent, and project monitoring of air for selected potential air pollutants. Air monitoring sampler locations are shown in the figure and pictures that follow. The air monitoring activities at Rocky Flats detect and track the impacts of Site operations on air quality at and near the Site - routinely characterizing airborne radioactive particulate matter, measuring airborne beryllium during selected demolition projects, and collecting meteorological data. Data are used to plan, implement, and assess the effects of Site activities, including routine Site operations, construction, and closure activities and to demonstrate compliance with relevant regulations. Additional information on air monitoring is provided in the Integrated Monitoring Plan Background Document, Section 4.

Additional air monitoring is conducted around the Rocky Flats Site under the ComRad program.  Click here to visit the ComRad website and review air data from monitoring stations near Rocky Flats.

See the photos and table below for an overview of the Rocky Flats Air Monitoring program.

 

2004 Rocky Flats Air Monitoring Program

Type of
Monitoring

Locations

Sampling
Performed By

Sampling
Frequency

Purpose

Ambient air 32 samplers Site personnel Continuous Comply with state and federal regulatory requirements for monitoring
Additional samplers on Site and at perimeter CDPHE Continuous Detect and characterize Site-related airborne emissions
Effluent from Industrial Area facilities 1 exhaust outlet Site personnel Continuous at significant sources Verify effectiveness of radiation control mechanisms
Project Selected subset of existing ambient air monitoring locations Site personnel Continuous; filters exchanged weekly (Note: Generator-powered samplers operate only during project activities Assess impacts of remediation or Decontamination & Decommissioning projects; provide data to better characterize airborne emissions
Meteorology National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Meterological tower (1 mile north of former Site meterological tower location) Data access via Internet and specialized software Continuous Monitor meteorological conditions for use in air quality modeling