CSS employee owners supported the deployment and operation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality monitoring trailer (WEAVE COM – Western Enhanced Air quality VEhicle for COmmunity Monitoring) in California’s San Joaquin Valley in during late fall and early winter of 2024.  Elevated particulate matter (PM2.5) is frequently found throughout the valley during the wintertime when thermal inversions trap pollution. Instruments on the trailer measure criteria air pollutants, other airborne contaminants and the chemical composition of particulate matter.  The mobile lab allows scientists to collect atmospheric data to fill in gaps between existing fixed air quality monitoring stations to help identify sources and types of atmospheric PM2.5. CSS staff helped set up the trailer at the deployment site, conducted daily quality control checks on multiple instruments, and supported instrument operations throughout the deployment. 

Trailer has instruments on top for monitoring air quality
WEAVE COM air quality monitoring trailer. 
View over a valley with a fog settled between the mountains
View overlooking San Joaquin Valley during a thermal inversion episode.

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Safety Support To First Responders

First responders put their lives on the line to help others, and our team helps safeguard their protection.  Our team on contract with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Respiratory Protection Program works with staff to test respirators and establish secure fits. Similarly, they provide these fit tests for fire department personnel on a regular…

Person in a laboratory works on an instrument

Monitoring Algal Blooms for Harmful Toxins

CSS employee owners support NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Sensor Development Team in their efforts to detect and monitor these harmful algal blooms in coastal waters where they are likely to occur. HAB monitoring is critical for detecting harmful toxins produced by some algae. When present in over…

stream running through a wooded area

Over 2000 River and Stream Samples Analyzed 

Every five years teams supporting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Aquatic Resource Survey—consisting of tribal, state, and federal partners—collect samples from over 2000 river and stream reaches throughout the United States. CSS analytical chemists support this effort by processing the samples and then analyzing them for various chemicals to help characterize their water quality.  The…