This area is primarily intended for direct users of AQS, i.e., those in the state, local, and tribal agencies and within EPA who load data into the AQS database or use data from this database for analysis.

The Air Quality System (AQS) contains ambient air pollution data collected by EPA, state, local, and tribal air pollution control agencies from over thousands of monitors. AQS also contains meteorological data, descriptive information about each monitoring station (including its geographic location and its operator), and data quality assurance/quality control information. 

The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) and other AQS users rely upon the system data to assess air quality, assist in Attainment/Non-Attainment designations, evaluate State Implementation Plans for Non-Attainment Areas, perform modeling for permit review analysis, and other air quality management functions.  AQS information is also used to prepare reports for Congress as mandated by the Clean Air Act.