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EPA Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

Air Data from the Gulf Coastline

In response to the BP oil spill, EPA monitored air, water, sediment, and waste generated by the cleanup operations. Ongoing response and restoration efforts are posted to RestoreTheGulf.gov.

While emergency response data collection has ended, results continue to be available on this site. Any new data will continue to be posted to this site, and data will continue to be available here for the foreseeable future.

Much of the content of this site continues to be available for historical and information purposes, but we are no longer updating these pages on a regular basis.

Learn about odors from the BP Oil Spill

To report an odor please call - 1-866-448-5816

On this page:

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

Real-time air monitoring for ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

Note: real-time data are no longer available, but we've kept the link text visible for historical purposes.

screen image of the AirNow monitoring web site

Air Now Current Air Quality along the Gulf Coast

This monitoring provides current ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) data that are used to calculate Air Quality Index values.

Former link: View current air quality conditions and forecasts along the Gulf Coast

EPA set up a high resolution monitor to gather real-time measurements of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in outdoor air near Venice, Louisiana. This high resolution H2S monitoring equipment has been located near existing monitor V03 located in Buras, Louisiana. Learn more about H2S | Learn more about the high resolution monitor

Former link: View current H2S conditions in Buras, Louisiana

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Air monitoring and sampling data for coarse particulate matter (PM10), H2S, VOCs, and PAHs

Air monitoring data are collected from portable high-level screening monitors and from portable particle pollution monitors. These monitors measure: Air sampling data are collected with special canisters and cartridges and are then sent to a laboratory to analyze for:

This map also shows off-shore air samples taken during dispersant application. The samples were taken over a four-day period in May at locations ranging from about 30 to 60 miles offshore. Learn more about this offshore air sampling for dispersant-related compounds.

Map of Air Monitoring and Sampling Data: All Locations, All Dates
Mouse over a location on the map to view reports on the air data collected at that site.

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Download Air Monitoring and Sampling Data

Air monitoring data includes VOCs, H2S, PM10, and PM2.5

Download sampling and monitoring data.

For all hydrogen sulfide (H2S) data posted before May 17, the detection limit is 1 ppm. For all H2S data posted May 17 or after the detection limit is 0.1 ppm.

Air samples analyzed for VOCs and PAHs along the Gulf coast

Download sampling and monitoring data.

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Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzers (TAGA bus)

photo of the mobile air sampling bus

The TAGA bus analyzes the air along the Gulf Coast in response to the BP oil spill

EPA mobilized the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzers (TAGA), self-contained mobile laboratories to conduct real-time monitoring of outdoor air or emissions from various environmental sources.

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ASPECT data

EPA’s remote-sensing aircraft known as ASPECT (Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology) collected air monitoring data in response to the oil spill.

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Daily Average Particulate Matter

To date, PM10 levels have been primarily in the 'good' to 'moderate' range which is not uncommon along the Gulf Coast in the summertime. Because oil burning has stopped we are no longer posting the PM10 air quality table. PM2.5 monitoring, which is a more protective indicator of particulate matter, can be seen at AirNow Current Air Quality along the Gulf Coast.

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Government Response

Other federal government information:

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photo of air monitoring equiment in front of a stormy sky

Air monitoring station near Grand Isle State Park, Grand Isle, Louisiana.

What EPA is Looking for in the Air

Particulate Matter (also known as Particulate Pollution)

EPA is measuring two sizes of particulate matter, also called particle pollution: fine particles (PM2.5), which are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter; and coarse particles (PM10), which are smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter.

EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) tracks levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone along the Gulf. These data are available publicly daily http://www.airnow.gov/ and http://gulfcoast.airnowtech.org/.

In addition to monitors used to provide data for EPA's AQI, EPA's emergency response teams also put up monitoring stations that monitor specifically for larger particulate matter (PM-10).

It is not uncommon to see elevated levels of PM or ozone along the coast at this time of year from other man-made sources (factories, power plants, cars, etc.). Therefore, you may see elevated levels of PM along the Gulf -- in the moderate range, for example -- but those levels are not elevated because of the presence of the oil. The only time that the BP Gulf spill might affect levels of PM along the coast is when the oil is being burned.

Key to daily averages and air quality levels

Localized Monitoring
PM10 Daily Averages		 Index Value Air Quality Index
Levels of Health Concern		 Cautionary Statements
0-54 0 to 50 Good None
55-154 51 to 100 Moderate Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
155-254 101 to 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
255-354 151 to 200 Unhealthy People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
355-424 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
425-604 301 to 500 Hazardous People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Everyone else should avoid all physical activity outdoors.

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