Development of a database with embedded analytical tools for the management and visualization of air quality data

The U. S. Department of Energy (NETL) has for the past several years funded a number of research projects targeted towards the characterization of fine particulate (PM2.5) and other copollutants present in ambient air along the Upper Ohio River Valley (UORV) corridor. Exposure to PM2.5 species has been linked with mortality incidences involving people with upper respiratory ailments. These studies have produced large data sets that historically have been resident in disparate locations with limited access by the sponsors and interested stakeholders. The project described here involves the development of a comprehensive, computer-based system for (1)integrating the ambient air quality data collected under multiple DOE-sponsored monitoring programs in the UORV region, and (2) creating a publicly-available, user-friendly tool for accessing, displaying, analyzing and interpreting these air quality data. The resulting database will provide timely data analysis for the sponsors, stakeholders and the community-at-large through an easy-to-use web-based data management system that will have graphical analytical tools for displaying, analyzing and interpreting the archived air quality data. One benefit derived from this project is that the developed application will be used to support scientifically-sound policy decisions by regulatory agencies. This system's data storage, retrieval and analysis tools are easily adaptable to other environmental applications, including water quality data management.