Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech)
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including HealthDescription
Perform field and laboratory air monitoring to assess ambient and source emissions, investigate air pollution sources, and support regulatory compliance under the direction of an environmental scientist or engineer. Collect and analyze air and particulate samples, operate monitoring stations and source-testing equipment, and document results to protect public health.
- • Record air monitoring data and prepare reports, summaries, and charts interpreting results.
- • Collect ambient and source air samples for gases, VOCs, odors, and particulates (PM10/PM2.5).
- • Provide technical assistance to agencies, facilities, and the public on air quality, health impacts, and compliance.
- • Calibrate and verify flow rates and sensors on air monitoring instruments.
- • Recommend controls or corrective actions to reduce emissions or improve indoor air quality.
- • Inspect facilities, stacks, and process vents for compliance with air permits and regulations.
- • Prepare and condition filters, sorbent tubes, canisters, and cassettes for analysis.
- • Calculate pollutant concentrations, emission rates, and gas flows using standard air methods.
- • Initiate notices of violation or enforcement referrals for air regulation breaches.
- • Select appropriate sampling media, methods, and durations per EPA/NIOSH protocols.
- • Discuss monitoring results with facility staff, regulators, or clients.
- • Maintain air monitoring databases, calibration records, chain-of-custody, and equipment logs.
- • Perform QA/QC checks and basic statistical analysis of air data.
- • Set up and operate ambient monitoring stations and source-testing equipment at stacks and vents.
- • Assist with air permit reviews, emissions inventories, or compliance submittals.
- • Conduct indoor air quality assessments for CO, CO2, VOCs, particulates, and ventilation parameters.
- • Weigh filters and measure particle mass to determine PM concentrations.
- • Support airborne asbestos, lead, or silica monitoring and coordinate laboratory analyses.
- • Develop or implement ambient air monitoring plans, quality assurance project plans, and sampling SOPs.
- • Evaluate air impacts of process changes and recommend mitigation measures.
- • Perform LDAR or fugitive emissions monitoring using appropriate instruments.
- • Monitor emission control devices and CEMS to verify proper operation and regulatory compliance.
- • Respond to odor complaints, smoke events, or chemical releases and collect air samples.
- • Lead field crews during stack tests and ambient sampling campaigns.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
