AIRS-Info provides AQS manuals, data dictio- naries, user guides, and related memoranda. AIRS Graphics/AIRS EXEC AIRS Graphics (AG) integrates data from the AIRS subsystems into maps and charts that enable users to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies in air pollution data. Interactive menus make it easy to choose "graphical re- ports" and control their contents. The software displays color graphics on a 3270 graphics terminal and provides users with options such as saving the graph, producing color prints, export- ing the graph and/or data in PC format, and browsing the data used to create the graph. Graphs produced by AG can reveal patterns, trends, and anomalies in air pollution data. For example, users can produce a map showing the locations of sulfur dioxide air monitors and emission sources, to exhibit the geographical distribution of pollutant sources and monitors and their proximity to each other. AIRS Executive is a user-friendly IBM PC program that contains a select subset of data extracted from the AIRS database. It guides users to air pollution information on ambient air and plant emissions sources. AIRS Executive software is available in both USA and interna- tional versions from the AIRS Graphics/AIRS Executive Software/Manuals section of AIRS- Info. Obtaining AIRS data AIRS data are not housed on AIRS-Info. Direct retrieval of information from AIRS requires a user account on EPA's IBM computer system at the NCC and an IBM-3270 computer terminal or equivalent. An application for a user account is available from AIRS-Info, or by calling NTIS at (703)487-4630. United States Environmental Protection Agency 456VF-97-006 September 1997 For AIRS Information on EPA's TTNWeb: http: //www.epa .gov/ttn Contact: Michael Hamlin (919)541-5232 Functions The AIRS Information web is one of 1 7 available on EPA's Technology Transfer Network Web (TTNWeb ), a collection of electronic information sources developed and operated by OAQPS. The service is free, except for the cost of connecting to the Internet. TTNWeb is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can connect directly to TTNWeb over the World Wide Web (WWW). If you're on the Internet, it couldn't be easier — the Universal Resource Locator (URL) is printed in the box above. There is no standard way of accessing the Internet, but once you have Internet access, you can use anyWorld Wide Web browser to connect and transfer files from AIRS-Info. Use the URL http://www.epa.gov/ttn. From there, select "Directory of TTN Sites". Finally, trom the directory page, select "AIRS - Aerometric Information Retrieval Systems Information." EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards AIRS Information on the World Wide Web (AIRS-INFO) http://www.epa.gov/ttn ------- Purpose of AIRS-Info The Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) contains information about air pollution in the United States and other World Health Organization (WHO) member countries. The AIRS Information web site(AIRS-Info), devel- oped by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), aids system users in sharing that information. AIRS-Info replaces the TTN AIRS Bulletin Board System. AIRS resides on the IBM mainframe at EPA's Na- tional Computer Center (NCC) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and is adminis- tered by the Information Transfer and Program Integration Division of EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). The purpose of AIRS-Info is to make AIRS- related information and computer software available to the AIRS user community. To serve that purpose, AIRS-Info is organized around the different component subsystems of AIRS. AIRS AIRS contains air quality, emissions, compliance, enforcement, and operating permit information needed by OAQPS and state agencies to carry out their respective programs for improving and maintaining air quality. No other air-pollution database in the world compares with AIRS in terms of coverage, accuracy, and large-scale user-community involvement. The AIRS user community includes State and Local air agencies, academic research programs, envi- ronmental advocacy groups, legislative lobby- ists, private citizens, and EPA. AIRS data are stored in the AIRS Facility Subsystem (AFS), the Air Quality Subsystem (AQS), and the Geographic, Common, and Maintenance Subsystem(GCS). GCS contains reference data shared by the AFS and AQS subsystems. The data include codes and code descriptions used to identify places, pollutants, and pro- cesses, geographic information, and values such as air quality standards and emission factors. AIRS-Info provides general AIRS information, including answers to some common questions about AIRS, downloadable registration forms for AIRS conferences and AIRS data access, and the AIRS Tool Box, with tips for using common PC applications with AIRS data. Also available are current and recent back issues of the quarterly AlRSLetter, which covers emerg- ing issues and provides information related to AIRS subsystems and applications. AFS: AIRS Facility Subsystem AFS contains emissions and compliance data on air pollution point sources regulated by the U.S. EPA and/or state and local agencies. It also holds data for over 150,000 industrial plants and their components, dating back to 1970. The AFS also includes data for management of operating permit applications and renewals. Emissions estimates are available for a smaller number of plants, generally plants emitting more than 100 tons per year of one or more of the criteria pollutants. Emissions estimates from 1985 to the present are available at process- specific levels and are accumulated for plant totals. Toxic data are available for plants emitting more than ten tons per year of any regulated toxic or 25 tons per year combined. One of the more frequently accessed sections of the AFS portion of AIRS-Info is the link labelled "MACT Files/Software/Manuals". From this location one can download a information about how to make case-by-case MACT determinations using data in AFS. Available files include a MACT Data Entry Guide, HAP codes to use with AFS, results of the MACT Pilot test, and .zip archives of industry-specific source classifica- tion codes. In addition to this MACT information, AIRS- Info contains AFS manuals, data dictionaries, user guides, training information, and tips to make getting at and using AFS information easier. AQS: Air Quality Subsystem AQS contains measurements of ambient concen- trations of air pollutants and meteorological data from thousands of monitoring stations operated by EPA, state, and local agencies, as well as descriptive information about each station, including its geographic location and operator. These data are used to assess the overall status of the nation's air quality and to identify localities where improvements in air quality are needed. The subsystem, which serves as the nation's pollution "barometer," has been in production since 1987 and is accessed by State, local, and Federal agencies. Air quality data date back to 1958 and include more than 10,000 monitors worldwide operated by EPA, state and local agencies, and WHO member countries. The AQS makes summary air quality data for all years readily available, including all raw data for the nation. Data is stored on an hourly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis according to various regulatory and measurement criteria. A re-engineering of the AQS is underway. ------- |