Site Mitigation & Restoration Program

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Santa Susana Field Laboratory Area I Burn Pit Air Monitoring Data

Air Monitoring Summary • Air Monitoring Stations Map • Air Monitoring Data

Santa Susana Field Laboratory Area I Burn Pit Air Monitoring Data

Fugitive Dust Control and Air Monitoring:
During the Interim Soil Cleanup at the Boeing Company’s (Boeing) Area I Burn Pit (AIBP) site, fugitive dust control measures are implemented and air quality monitoring is performed to comply with federal, state, and local air quality laws and regulations, including Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) Rule 55.

PM10 Federal and State Standard:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) sets the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and California sets the California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for PM10.

Additional Requirements: The PM10 standard and air monitoring procedures used for the AIBP interim cleanup follow the DTSC-Approved Final Removal Action Work Plan (RAW).

Continuous Monitoring: Real-time PM10 air monitoring stations are located Upwind and Downwind of the AIBP interim cleanup area. Air monitoring occurs during earth-moving activities, which typically occur between the hours of 6am and 2pm.

The difference between Upwind and Downwind PM10 concentrations (Delta) is used to determine the amount of dust created (if any) during AIBP interim cleanup activities. If the Delta exceeds 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), or if visible dust is observed, the RAW requires that earth-moving activities stop and additional dust control measures are used. Activities won’t restart until the PM10 concentrations drop below 50 µg/m³ and no visible dust is produced.

Monitoring Stations Map
The map below shows the current AIBP air monitoring stations. Locations are approximate and may change depending on site conditions, such as which area is being cleaned up.

Ariel view of the SSFL Area One Burn Pit early action with with site boundary, cardinal directions and locations of the North, South, East, and West Air Monitoring Stations. Photo updated 9/3/2024

Air Monitoring Data

Boeing is responsible for reporting air monitoring data to DTSC for the AIBP Interim Soil Cleanup. The data collected includes Upwind and Downwind PM10 (herein referred to as Deltas), wind speed, wind direction, and PM10 from four air monitoring stations. The software that Boeing uses inputs air monitoring data on a minute-by-minute basis from each of the four air monitoring stations, calculates the difference between the Upwind and Downwind PM10, and reports the outcome as an hourly average.

DTSC validates the findings of the data received from Boeing in accordance with DTSC’s Community Air Monitoring Plan Guidance (Guidance). Consistent with the Guidance, DTSC verifies the Deltas. The results of DTSC’s validation are provided in a side-by-side comparison to Boeing’s data. Additional information on DTSC’s calculations and definitions of terms can be found in the Data Legend below.

Monitoring Results
The AIBP Interim Soil Cleanup began on March 11, 2024. Air monitoring stations were installed at the start of the AIBP interim soil cleanup. Air monitoring data will be updated weekly until the AIBP Interim Soil Cleanup is completed.

Table Notes:
Air monitoring data means data collected during earth moving activities; generally Monday-Thursday. Work days may be adjusted due to holidays, forecasted rain, air quality index alerts, wind speed, etc.
Green highlighted cells in the tables are calculated by DTSC.
Blue highlighted cells in the tables are calculated by Boeing.
PM10 means airborne particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less.
North/South/East/West PM10 means PM10 averaged per station for that hour in µg/m³.
Upwind and Downwind Delta means PM10 readings in µg/m³ from the direction which the wind is blowing. Wind directions fluctuate throughout the day. The software used by Boeing to calculate the Deltas accounts for changes in wind direction.
Wind Direction means the averaged wind direction for that hour.
M/S means meters per second.
MPH means miles per hour.
ug/m³ means micrograms per cubic meter.