What is the primary purpose of ambient air monitoring in Colorado?

• A. To measure indoor pollutant concentrations for workplace safety.
• B. To measure outdoor pollutant concentrations to assess compliance with NAAQS, protect public health, and support air quality management decisions.
• C. To monitor soil and water quality near industrial sites.
• D. To estimate traffic emissions for urban planning.

Answer: (B)

Ambient air monitoring focuses on outdoor air to quantify pollutant levels in the general environment. This data is used to determine whether Colorado areas meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, protect public health, and guide air quality management decisions such as permit requirements, emission reduction strategies, and planning. It’s about outdoor air quality and regulatory compliance, not indoor environments, soil or water quality, or estimating traffic emissions through separate studies or modeling.