United States Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards
Environmental Protection Outreach & Information Division
Agency National Air Data Group
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
AQS Fundamentals
Version: 1.0
Date Revised: September 5, 2006
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United States Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards
Environmental Protection Outreach & Information Division
Agency National Air Data Group
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
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AQS Fundamentals
Introduction
1 INTRODUCTION 1-1
1.1 A Brief History of AQ S 1-1
1.2 So what is AQS? 1-2
1.3 Data in AQS 1-2
1.3.1 Sites 1-2
1.3.2 Monitor Description Information 1-3
1.3.3 Ambient Air Quality Data 1-3
1.3.4 Putting the Data Together 1-3
2 WHO AM I? YOU AND YOUR USER ID 2-1
2.1 Registering for a New User ID 2-1
2.2 Logging on to AQS for the First Time 2-2
2.3 Logging into AQS 2-3
2.3.1 When Things go Right. 2-3
2.3.2 When Things Go Wrong 2-4
2.4 Changing Your Password 2-5
2.4.1 New Password Rules 2-5
2.4.2 When Things Go Right 2-6
2.4.3 When Things Go Wrong 2-6
2.5 Synchronizing Your Password with CDX 2-7
2.5.1 When Things Go Right 2-7
2.5.2 When Things Go Wrong 2-8
3 CDX - MOVING FILES AROUND 3-1
3.1 Getting to CDX 3-1
3.1.1 Accessing CDX Directly 3-2
3.1.2 Accessing CDX via AQS 3-2
3.2 Transferring Files to CDX 3-3
3.3 Retrieving / Deleting Files from CDX 3-4
3.4 Where to go for CDX Help 3-6
4 AQS APPLICATION 4-1
4.1 About Oracle Forms 4-1
4.2 AQS Main Menu & Icons 4-3
4.3 Action Functions - Oracle Forms Jargon 4-5
4.3.1 Save versus Rollback 4-5
4.3.2 Navigation Buttons (Main Menu & Exit) 4-6
4.3.3 Oracle Form Functions (Edit, Query, Block, Record & Field) 4-6
4.3.4 Working in "TribalMode" 4-9
4.4 Help 4-10
4.4.1 Application Help 4-10
4.4.2 Other Help Menu Items 4-11
4.4.3 Field Level Help 4-11
4.4.4 User Manuals and Guides 4-12
4.5 Sessions & Screening Groups 4-12
4.5.1 About Sessions 4-12
4.5.2 About Screening Groups 4-13
4.5.3 "Read Only" Versus Screening Group Access 4-13
4.5.4 Changing Your Session Profile 4-14
4.6 Administration Tools 4-15
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4.7 Retrievals - Getting Data out of AQS 4-15
4.7.1 Overview 4-16
4.7.2 What is Returned 4-16
4.7.3 Tribal Mode 4-17
4.7.4 Creating a Report 4-18
4.7.5 Monitor Selection and Area Selection Tabs 4-22
4.7.6 Saving Criteria Sets 4-30
4.7.7 Generate Report 4-31
4.7.8 Retrieving Previously Executed Reports 4-32
4.8 Maintenance - Reviewing, Editing, and Creating Data 4-34
4.8.1 Working as "Read Only" vs. with a "Screening Group" 4-34
4.8.2 Types of Data Available 4-35
4.8.3 Executing a Query 4-37
4.9 Batch Processing - Working with Large Amounts of Data 4-38
4.9.1 Formatting AQS Data 4-38
4.9.2 About the Batch Process 4-43
4.9.3 Batch - When Things Go Right 4-46
4.9.4 Batch - When Things Go Wrong 4-47
4.10 Working with CORRECT 4-47
4.10.1 Search and Replace 4-49
4.10.2 Delete A11 Selected 4-49
4.10.3 Delete by Screening Group 4-49
5 APPENDIX A - INITIAL AQS SETUP 5-1
5.1 Oracle JInitiator 5-1
5.2 JavaBean Certificate 5-1
5.3 CDX Registration 5-2
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Introduction
1 Introduction
Let me guess: You currently work in the air quality division of an environmental
information organization. Your boss has dumped a stack of floppies and CD's on your
desk and has told you to send this stack of air quality data to the national database
repository. What's more, you have also been tasked with getting air quality information
from other organizations. You are in a panic! Where do I go?!? What do I do when I get
there?! ?
Never fear! The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is here to
help! The place where you want to go is the Air Quality System, or AQS. AQS is THE
data source for ambient air quality data in the United States. AQS has information about
air quality data beginning in 1957 and continuing to present day. There is information
about where air quality monitoring is taking place, what kinds of pollutants are being
monitored, and the data itself. State, Local, and Tribal air quality organizations submit
millions of data points to AQS annually. These data are stored and summarized in
multiple forms. There are summarizations that are generic (such as annual averages,
highest values, and number of observations) and some are reflections of the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). AQS is regarded as the most comprehensive
resource for air quality information available.
Does all of this sound too good to be true? Well, there is a catch. Given that AQS is so
large and some of the summarizations are rather complex, the data may not necessarily be
handled in a way that will always make sense to you. That is where this guide comes into
play. It is intended to simplify the sometimes confusing process getting data in and out
of AQS.
This guide offers step-by-step instructions on performing many of the basic functions
available through the application. AQS is constantly changing based on user suggestions
and changes in the air quality regulations. Consequently, as time goes on, you may find
that some of the screens may differ slightly from the examples presented. However, as
with everything complex and wonderful, there are always new things to learn and
discover. Hopefully, this guide will give you the background and fundamentals required
to understand the premise and allow you find the resources required to get you the
information you need.
1.1 A Brief History of A QS
In response to the promulgation of the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Storage and Retrieval
of Ambient Data (SAROAD) system was created. Eventually, interest in other types of
air quality data grew, and a new system was created. The Aerometric Information
Retrieval System (AIRS) stored not only the data from SAROAD, but also had emission
inventories from stationary point sources as well as estimated emissions from
automobiles. Each of these different types of data constituted their own subsystem within
AIRS. The SAROAD portion was called "AQS" for "Air Quality Subsystem". In 1999
it was decided that it would be beneficial for EPA to move their national systems to
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Introduction
client-server architecture (your PC handles some of the workload) rather than the
traditional mainframe model that had been used in the past. As part of this decision
making process, it was decided that AQS would be the only AIRS component that would
be migrated to this new architecture. The "S" in "AQS" changed from "Subsystem" to
"System", since it was no longer a component of a larger system, So you may hear AQS
referred to as "AIRS" or "AIRS-AQS" or even as "that new-fangled SAROAD thing".
They all mean the same thing.
1.2 So what is AQS?
Figure 1-1
As illustrated in Figure 7-7, AQS is actually three different systems that act as one unit:
• AQS Application: Most people find working with a database very confusing. So
"front-ends" are built to help you out. These are the forms and reports that the
user interacts with in order to navigate through the system.
• AQS Database: A relational database which houses the ambient air quality
monitoring data
• Central Data Exchange (CDX): Think of CDX as "Windows Explorer" for AQS.
This component transfers and manages files to and from AQS.
1.3 Data in AQS
OK... There is no getting around it; AQS is a database and many people find databases
very confusing. So instead of talking about AQS in database technical jargon, let's talk
about the type of data that exists in AQS. AQS can be broken down into 3 major
categories of data:
1.3.1 Sites
Identified by:
• State, County, and Site Id OR
• Tribal code and Site Id, if it is located on Native American lands
Description:
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Site information refers to where on earth the monitoring site is located. A site is
identified by its. A site can also be identified by the combination of its. Such
things as latitude/longitude coordinates, what geopolitical areas it is in (like what
county, what city, what EPA Region, etc), and local names (such as local address
and the local site name for example) are kept here. In addition, information about
nearby roads is also stored with the site information.
1.3.2 Monitor Description Information
Identified by:
• The site where the monitor is located AND
• The pollutant code AND
• POC - Parameter Occurrence Code. Used to uniquely identify a monitor if
there is more than one device measuring the same pollutant at the same site.
Description:
For the purposes of AQS, a monitor does not refer to a specific piece of
equipment. Instead, it reflects that a given pollutant is being measured at a given
site. Monitor description information covers several different types of
information about how the monitor is configured. When was the monitor
operational? How high is the probe? Where is the probe located? How close is
this monitor to the highway? What monitoring networks does it belong to? What
is the objective of this monitor? Who owns and operates this monitor? These are
all good questions that can be answered with this type of information.
1.3.3 Ambient Air Quality Data
Identified by:
• The monitor where the measurement was taken
• The time when the sample was taken
Description:
There are a few different types of data stored within AQS:
1. Raw Data: This is by far the most abundant data in the database. The raw data
are the individual measurements collected from the monitors. To date, there are
over 1 billion raw data values available through AQS.
2. Precision and Accuracy Data (P&A): In order to ensure that the data collected at
the monitoring sites is of high quality, systems of checks are performed. This
data reflects the results of these evaluations.
3. Summary Data: Because there is so much raw data submitted to the system, the
system creates multiple levels of summaries of the raw data. The data is
summarized on a daily, quarterly, and annual basis. Additionally, if there is a
national standard for pollutant with a special averaging time (such as a running 8-
hour average for example), the system will create these summarized averages as
well.
1.3.4 Putting the Data Together
So there you have it! Sites are established to monitor for many different pollutants. The
monitors are located at these sites and there is lots of descriptive information associated
with these devices. Each monitor can collect a bunch of data. Each data point is
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Introduction
collected at a given time by the monitor. Understanding these basic definitions is critical
in understanding how the data is organized in the system. So, since pictures can paint a
thousand words, take a look at Figure 1-2. The thing to take home are the basic
properties of the three major types of data and that as you move from top to bottom, the
volume of data you are dealing with greatly increases:
Less Data
More Data
Figure 1-2
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Where Are the Samples
Being Taken?
How are the Monitors
Set up / Configured?
The data being
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AQS Fundamentals
Who Am I? You and Your User ID
2 Who Am I? You and Your User ID
Remember Figure 1-11 Keep in mind that AQS is composed of a few different pieces:
• AQS Application: Most people find working with a database very confusing. So
"front-ends" are built to help you out. These are the forms and reports that the
user interacts with in order to navigate through the system.
• AQS Database: A relational database which houses the ambient air quality
monitoring data
• Central Data Exchange (CDX): Think of CDX as "Windows Explorer" for AQS.
This component transfers and manages files to and from AQS.
Each of these different pieces resides on a different server at the National Computer
Center. As such, you need to be registered on each of these different machines.
Fortunately, as part of the user registration process, you will only have one user id. We
will discuss a little later how you go about making sure you have the same passwords for
the different accounts.
2.1 Registering for a New User ID
The process for obtaining a new user id is fairly straight-forward.
• STEP 1: Fill out the "AOS User Registration Form". Keep in mind that the form
must be signed by the AQS contact at your agency. An Adobe portable document
file (pdf) version of the form can be obtained at
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/registration.htm
• STEP 2: Read and sign the "AOS User Security (juidelines". An Adobe portable
document file (pdf) version of the form can be obtained at
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/registration.htm
• STEP 3: Forward the completed forms to the appropriate person. The
"appropriate" person depends on the kind of agency that you are representing.
o If you are a State, Local, or Tribal government official, you forward the
forms on to the EPA Regional contact in which you live,
o If you are a contractor working on a federal contract, you should give the
forms to your EPA contract or project officer rather than the EPA
Regional contact. The contract or project officer will then contact their
ADP coordinator to establish AQS user ids.
• It should be noted that when establishing user ids, the ADP coordinator will
establish an Oracle account on AQS.
• There is no cost for having an account, but it is required so we may track usage
and to enforce security within the application.
Although none of these steps are difficult, it always seems you get bogged down by the
red tape of processing your request. If you have problems with obtaining your user id,
feel free to contact:
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Who Am I? You and Your User ID
• Your EPA Regional contact (list of current contacts available at
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/contacts.htm)
• EPA Helpdesk at 1-866-411-4372. Keep in mind this is the number for all
applications run by the EPA, so be sure to mention that you are trying to find out
what the story is with your AQS user id.
Once you obtain your password, you will be assigned a temporary password. This
password will expire the first time you enter the application. You will need to change it
and then synchronize it with your CDX id. How do you do that? Funny you should ask!
Read on!
2.2 Logging on to AQS for the First Time
You've completed one big hurdle.... You have a user ID. Now it is time to log on to
AQS. Ready? Let's go!
• STEP 1: Go to http://www.epa. gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/aqsweb/aqswebhome.htm.
This web page provides the link to the AQS application. But if this is the first
time that you are accessing AQS from a given computer, go on to "STEP 2". If
you have signed on to AQS at least once on your current computer, proceed to
"STEP 3".
• STEP 2: YOU ONLY NEED TO DO STEP 2 ONE TIME FOR A GIVEN
COMPUTER.... EVER! Click on the "AQS Initial Setup" hyperlink. This link
will provide you with a set of instructions as to how to go about downloading the
components needed to properly install the JInitiator software. This process also
will also allow you to utilize additional AQS related tools (such as Oracle
Discoverer). For a full list of the instructions on this setup, please refer to
Appendix A.
• STEP 3: Click on the "Proceed to AQS" link at the bottom of the page.
• STEP 4: You will be directed to a page indicating that you are about to enter a
federal government computer application and that you agree to the terms listed. If
you are satisfied with the statement, click on the "I agree to these terms and want
to enter the AQS application" hyperlink.
Once you complete "STEP 4", you are on your way to the AQS application. I want you
to take a look at some thing here. Notice that two windows are opened. One is just a
boring gray screen and the other contains the login window (See Figure 2-1). DO NOT
CLOSE THE GRAY WINDOW! You can minimize it, shrink it, or move it.... Just
don't close it. You need this window to stay open as long as you are in AQS in order for
some of the reporting functions to work properly.
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Who Am I? You and Your User ID
& Oracle 0«wl«|Kir form* HunlifTw Web - jX~ g,L^
Vyindow
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Usemame
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Figure 2-1
The last step in logging into the system is to enter your newly acquired user name and
password in the appropriate fields on the form. From this point, it is just like logging on
for anyone else. So if you need more help, keep reading the next section!
2.3 Logging into AQS
2.3.1 When Things go Right
In order to log on to the system, have your user id and password ready. Go to the
following link:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/aqsweb/aqswebhome.htm
This web page serves as the "launching pad" for giving you
access to AQS. From here, click on this button to continue.
Proceed to
AQS
You will be directed to a page indicating that you are about to enter a federal government
computer application and that you agree to the terms listed. If you are satisfied with the
statement, click on the "I agree to these terms and want to enter the AQS application"
hyperlink. You are now at the AQS logon screen which looks like Figure 2-1. Notice
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Who Am I? You and Your User ID
that two windows are opened. One is just a boring gray screen and the other contains the
login window (See Figure 2-1). DO NOT CLOSE I II I GRAY WINDOW! You can
minimize it, shrink it, or move it.... Just don't close it. You need this window to stay
open as long as you are in AQS in order for some of the reporting functions to work
properly.
You will also see that you have to specify the database to which you are connecting.
Unless you are in some kind of a training class, you should connect to the "AQSPROD"
database. For AQS, the user id, password, and database can be entered in either upper or
lower case.
2.3.2 When Things Go Wrong
When you fill out the fields, press the "Connect" button. If you typed everything in ok,
you will enter the application. If not, you will get one of the following errors:
Error #1
You will get this error if you
either mistype (or don't type
in) the "Database" field.
Remember: it should be
"AQSPROD"
Logon Error
m
©
ORA-1 2545: Connect failed because target host or object
does not exist
OK
Logon Error
EI
©
ORA-01005: null password given; logon denied
OK
Error #2
You will get this error if you forget to
enter the password or the username
field.
Logon Error
El
©
OR A-0101 7: invalid username/password; logon denied
Error #3
You will get this error if you
mistype either the username or
password fields. If you have 3
consecutive "Invalid Username /
Password" errors, the application will automatically close and your account will be
locked. To unlock the account, you need to call the EPA Helpdesk at 1-866-411-4372.
OK
Forms
Q
m
FRM-40735: ON-ERROR trigger raised unhandled
exception ORA-03114.
OK
Error #4
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Who Am I? You and Your User ID
You will get this error if you hit the "Cancel" button.
Error #5
If you have had more than 3 consecutive "Invalid
Username / Password" errors, your account will
be locked. The only way to unlock the account is
by calling the EPA Helpdesk at 1-866-411-4372.
Error #6
OK, so it's not an error, exactly. This is a warning letting you know that your password
is about to expire (or has expired). It lets you know how many days you have before you
are required to change it. If you need to change your password, please look in the section
of this guide "How to Change Your Password".
2.4 Changing Your Password
Your AQS and CDX passwords will need to be changed at least every 90 days. That may
seem to be exceedingly frequent, but that is the price you pay for having access to federal
government mission critical application!
2.4.1 New Password Rules
Because there are lots of clever people out there, your new password must meet certain
rules in order for it to be valid and difficult to guess. So the real "Step 1" of this process
is to make up a good password. In order for your password to be valid, it must meet all
of the following criteria:
1. Must be at least 8 characters long
2. Must contain at least 1 number
3. Must contain at least 1 character
4. Must begin with a character
5. Passwords can only contain A-Z and 0-9
6. You cannot reuse an old password EVER.
7. Password cannot be a common word or a common word followed by a string of
digits
8. Password cannot be your user id followed by a string of number.
9. Password cannot be your user id in reverse order followed by a string of number.
10. Password cannot be the name of the server or the oracle instance name
(AQSPROD) with or without trailing digits
11. Password cannot be the user's first or last name with or without trailing (or
leading) string of digits.
12. Password cannot be the user's first initial and last name with or without trailing
(or leading) string of digits.
Logon Error
*J|
©
ORA-28000: the account is locked
OK
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Who Am I? You and Your User ID
2.4.2 When Things Go Right
Here are the steps needed to change your AQS password (we'll explain how to change
your CDX password in a second):
Step #1
i lailMil Retrieval Maintenance Critics From the Main Menu, click on "Admin" and
then "Security" under the "Admin" item.
if I
Security
Reference
ts
Step #2
On the section of the Security form labeled "Change Your Oracle Passwords", enter your
new password in the "New Password" field next to the "AQS" label. Press the tab key
(or click the "Confirm password" field) and fill out the "Confirm password" field with
the same new desired password. Click on "OK" when complete.
You should receive this if everything is OK. Press
the "OK" button to continue.
1 Security - Change Password
m
' -2045E
): Pass\
OK
vord changed.
2.4.3 When Things Go Wrong
Error #1
Your "New Password" must
equal your "Confirm password'
entries. If they don't, you will
get this error (just admit that
you don't type very well!).
Security- Change Password
E
©
-20458: Password does not match confirmation. Please
re-enter.
OK
Error #2
If your "New Password" violates any of the rules listed in "New Password Rules" section
above, you will get a message specifying what error has occurred.
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2.5 Synchronizing Your Password with CDX
The folks who brought you AQS realize that it is a pain to keep up with multiple
passwords and user ids. Unfortunately, AQS relies on using CDX for handling files to
and from the application. Additionally, CDX is a completely different application from
AQS. Consequently, it requires its own logon information. Fortunately, the user ids
between the two systems are the same. They also have their passwords set to the same
initial value when your account is created. AQS has a mechanism in place that assists
users in keeping their passwords between the two systems the same. That saves some
brain cells in having to remember multiple passwords as you move though the system.
If you have just changed you AQS password, it is a good idea to exit the AQS application
and come back in using the recently changed password. There have been instances where
the application gets confused as to what the right password is to synchronize with CDX if
you don't leave and come back in.... better safe than sorry!
2.5.1 When Things Go Right
If you have managed to change your password, this part will be a piece of cake! All that
you need to know is what your current password on CDX is (if you've been keeping your
password in sync with AQS, it should be your "old" AQS password). Easy peasy!
Step #1
From the Main Menu, click on "Admin" and
then "Security" under the "Admin" item.
sicm |
Adrnin
Retrieval Maintenance Critica
Security
L5
Reference ~
Step #2
On the section of the Security form labeled "Change Your Oracle Passwords", enter your
current CDX password in the "Current CDX Password" field next to the "CDX" label.
Click on "Synchronize CDX" when complete.
Change Your Oracle Passwords
OK
AQS New Password: Confirm password:
COX Current CDX Password: Synchronize CDX
You should receive the
following message if
everything goes well:
Isecurity- Change Password
[* -20708: Password
current Oracle pas;
change
sword.
I OK !
3d to lower case version of
I
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2.5.2 When Things Go Wrong
The only thing that can go wrong is if you don't remember the old password. In this case
you will get an error saying just that. Suggestion? Well, either correctly type in the old
password or call the CDX Helpdesk (1-888-890-1995) and have them reset your CDX
password.
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CDX - Moving Data Around
3 CDX - Moving Files Around
EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) is the gateway for state and local governments,
industry, and tribes to provide their environmental data to the EPA. As mentioned
earlier, CDX is a different application from AQS. So why are we talking about it?
Because eventually you will want to either put data into AQS or to get data out of AQS
and CDX plays a very big role in making that happen.
CDX is a shared application. If there is an environmental program that requires the
transferring of data files, there is a good chance CDX is involved. As such, each user
with a CDX account is allocated a certain amount of space on the network. Once you
have used your space up, there is no more until you do some house cleaning! So
remember to keep your area neat!
CDX supports a wide variety of data formats to and from its system. However, for our
purposes let's just say that CDX provides all that we need to get files in and out of AQS.
In this section we will show how to move a file to make it available to AQS.
You can go to the following areas in CDX (Accessed by the links on the left side of the
CDX screens:
• About CDX: Provides generic information about the
functions and capabilities of CDX
• MyCDX: This is the "launching pad" for all the
activities that you can perform in CDX. See Figure 3-2
for an example picture.
• Inbox: Link to new files sent to your account
• Change Password: Function that allows you to change
your CDX password
• Frequently Asked Questions: Your standard FAQ type
of page
• Help & Support: If this excellent guide falls short for
your needs, you can look here for more resources (perish
the thought!)
• CDX Home: The entry point for CDX
• Terms & Conditions: This is some legalese to tell you
what you legally can and can't do with this application
• Logout: Logs you out of CDX when you are all done
3.1 Getting to CDX
You will soon see there are lots of different ways to do the same thing within AQS. This
is illustrated by how to access CDX. You can access CDX in either of the following
ways:
• Go directly to the CDX website OR
• Access CDX through AQS
About CDX
MyCDX
Inbox
Change Password
Frequently Asked
Questions
Help & Support
CDX Home
Terms & Conditions
Logout
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CDX - Moving Data Around
3.1.1 Accessing CDX Directly
Once you register for access to AQS, you automatically are registered as a user of CDX.
Once you have obtained your user id and password you can log into CDX by going to the
following URL:
https://cdx.epa.gov/SSL/cdx/login.asp
This will take you to the following screen:
Warning Notice
HPA>i Central Oafla 6«cliangu Hngr .toil ton ptOCOdwe is part at a United Stales fcnyirontnnrtat PiOleclion Agency (EPA) computer syijirm, wtuch
» fat authoriiw) ou« only Uriaulhurifftd JiectrtS or U9« of this computer system may vub|CCI wolatois Iti criminal, c«*S, and/oi adminiiiralfnt action
All information an this computer rn.iy ho monitor*!), ieco»did. road, copied, and dint loud by and to .iLrthorii-rd personnel for ofcial
purposes, including law enforcement Access or use of this computed system by any poison, v^mthor authorised or unamthonied, const«U!»s
consent to these terms
Prtvaty Statement
EPA will use I lis personal nj«nl"(ying infctfi*»1«wi winch yog pnwdtf lo* the o«pivs*ed purpose* o• miration to the Central Data fe*cli*ngiii vrt« and
far updating and C0~£.
x m
IfjflAQS (Information Managemei
BRowse Monitoring Season
BrOwse Sample Methodology
BroVVse State Threshold
BrowSe Parameter
BrowsE Audits
summary Data Extraction
STandard Report Selection
.D
S7^
cdx m
Main Menu
3.1.2.1 From the Main
Menu
Perhaps the most direct link to the
CDX login screen is on the AQS
Main Menu under the "Retrieval"
entry. This menu item is available
at the top of every screen in AQS.
Version 1.0
3-2
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AQS Fundamentals
CDX - Moving Data Around
tutor) t'e'C Session *>mn ijwitrm1 w«rft:alHir> CttMUlKn Qaftn CQiretl
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3.1.2.2 From the Retrievals
Standard Selection Form
Since files can be created from AQS and
stored in your CDX account, AQS has a
button that will take you to the CDX Login
screen.
Action Help Session Admin Retrieval Maintenance Critical Rev Certification Batch Correct
H a s- j . .. % a h « 7 < ~ » ~~ ±. x a s. f, % ?
/.I Batch Process (Information Management Group) HSB|
p
sh CDX |
Files from CDX ready to Load:
File Date
File Name
Status
n
r I 1
u—
.Sit
^~B|
Session Date
Oracle User id
Session Status
Job Type
File Name
* [[20060911 13:38
[gsj
[ERROi *
|ST_TABLES
]
20060911 13:29
|OSJ
|ERROR
Jfle
|T erm_Mon_SG_43 .csv
Refresh
JI20060907 09:04
iJNZ
(COMPLETED
IFILE
iVWMonitors.txt
(2006090613:50
|GSJ
|ERROR
|ST_TABLES
Cancel Session
120060906 09:31
i©SJ
Jerror
|FLE
|Mon Close last samp less than
. .—-
-r 120060905 15:04
|GSJ
[COMPLETED
iSTJABLES
|1
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Submit Correct 1
Data | Stats CR
Post
1
Batch Reports
Edit/Load Summary ' Edit Error Details
i 1 ' — f 1 1
9
3.1.2.3 From the Batch
Processes Form
Since files can be submitted to
AQS from your CDX account,
AQS has a button on the batch
processes form that will take you
to the CDX Login screen. Notice
that this form also provides a
view of the files that are available
to be processed by AQS.
Central Data Exchange - MyCDX
Welcome,
Mr. JONATHAN MILLER
CDX Registration Status: Active
Last Login:
Registered Since:
Recertification Date:
Use this link to RECEIVE
files FROM EPA
You have 2 new messages in vourInboxj
September 13, 2006
May9, 2003
Mays, 2003
Cliantie Svsteni
Password
Edit Pei sonal
Information
Edit Current
Account Piofiles
Add New
Emulovei Piofiie
Available Account Profiles: X
• AQS: Air Quality System-File Transfer Use this liflk tO
SEND files TO EPA
Figure 3-2: MyCDX Page
3.2 Transferring Files to CDX
One of the primary functions AQS serves is the ability to store large amounts of ambient
air quality data. In order for that to happen, there has to be a mechanism to getting the
data files from here to there ("here" being your computer and "there" being the EPA).
Version 1.0
3-3
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AQS Fundamentals
CDX - Moving Data Around
AQS relies on CDX to manage the movement of files. So now that you are in CDX, how
do you go about moving files?
Step 1: Log on to CDX by filling out the username and password fields of Figure 3-1
and clicking "LOGIN".
U.S. Environment*! Prof cf ton Ag*ney
WtC&X • Subrroaiim rami
AIR QUALITY SUBSYSTEM SUBMITTAL FORM
AOS WIB AFPUCMWH MSI ALLAHOH
To cam 9KMn« ra fisUAng tne iMK *wfcaoon, rets to &
AO& wrn sunaiTAi form standard iorm
Step 2: From the My CDX
page (sqq Figure 3-2), select
"AQS: Air Quality System -
File Transfer". This will
take you to the "Air Quality
Subsystem Submittal Form".
FkiidniMHiMfbTiiplvlHWln
1 SELECT I
1 REMOVE I
I CLEAR 1
I SStO I
Oik* y«u ra» Mi tMo uouUf ufUou, ttvx* *
H«pD«fc 800-1085
AOS WEB SUBMITTAL FORM - STANDARD FORM
This form is for uploading file submissions to AQS. To pick files for upload, use the Select button. To
remove a single file from this upload, use the Remove button. To remove all files from this upload, use
the Clear button.
Files submitted may l»e up to 100 MB in size.
Files (3)
f0 C:\aqs\Data Requests\05Q3AIR5flow.txt
0 C:\aqs\Data Requests\05QlAIRSflow.txt
0 C:\aqs\Data Requests\05Q2AIR5flow.txt
Size (9KB) |
3,280 bytes
3,280 bytes
3,116 bytes
Please select SEND to validate your webform and transmit the attached data and files to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Central Data Exchange for processing.
Step 3: Click on the
"SELECT" button. This will
open a file dialog box where
you can select files located
on your local PC or network
device.
Step 4: Select the file(s) that
you want to upload from the
file dialog box. Click
"Open" when complete.
Step 5: You will return to the Air
Quality Subsystem Submittal Form
with the files you selected
appearing in the box. When you
have all the files selected, click on
the "SEND" button below the box
of the list of files. This will open a
progress bar that will show how
long you have until your files have
been transferred.
Step 6: Log out of CDX by
clicking the "Logout" link on the
menu on the left.
3.3 Retrieving / Deleting Files from CDX
Under most circumstances, when you generate files from AQS, the files are emailed to
you. However, there may be reasons that you store these files on CDX for downloading
at a later time. Eventually you will want to copy these files from CDX to your PC (or
some other network device). So how do you move the files? Good question!
Step 1: Log on to CDX by filling out the username and password fields of Figure 3-1
and clicking "LOGIN".
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AQS Fundamentals
CDX - Moving Data Around
Step 2: From MyCDX (see Figure 3-2), select "AQS: Air Quality System -File
Transfer". This will take you to the "Inbox" hyperlink. This will only be underlined if
you have files to download. This link will take you to a screen that looks something like
this:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
W;
Inbox - All Messages 1
nu
Recent Announcements 1 Contact Us Loaaed in as. JNZ.
MvCDX > Inbox - All Messages
« Prev Message: 1 to 3 v of 3 Next »
PI All From Subject Date
About CDX
MyCDX
Inbox
Change Password
Frequently Asked
Questions
Help & Support
CDX Home
Terms & Conditions
Logout
~ epacdx@csc.com Your AQS Report File Is Available: CDXTestFile.zip Wed 9/13/2006 10:36 AM
~ S epacdx@csc.com Receipt acknowledgement Tue 8/15/2006 14:58 PM
~ M CDX Admin Your AQS Report File Is Available: YR_2003_PM25_P710.ZIP Fri 10/1/2004 11:01 AM
[ DELETE | f Download Selected Files ]
Figure 3-3
So what do we have here?
First have a selection check box. Use this box to indicate what files you want to deal
with. So check the boxes that you want. Next we have a file type filter. This column
(labeled "All" on Figure 3-3) is actually a toggle as to what kinds of files are displayed.
Your choices are:
"All" Shows read and unread messages
S Only shows unread messages
Q Only shows previously read messages
Each time you click on the icon, it will change from "All" to S to Q. These icons also
appear next to the files below this column header. ^ means that a file has not been read.
If there is no icon next to the filename, it means that it has previously been read. Next is
the address where the file originated. Since these files are generated by AQS processes,
the "From" will always be some kind of system user. Clicking on this column label will
sort the data by the "From" addressee. Next is the subject. Again, this is a generic
subject generated by AQS to give you some idea from what process was this file
generated. Clicking on this column label will sort the data by the "Subject". Finally is
the date. This indicates when the file was created. Clicking on this column label will
sort the data by the "Date".
Step 3: Select the file(s) that you are interested by clicking the check box.
Step 4: Click either the "DELETE" button (to
remove the file), or "Download Selected Files" to
transfer the files to your PC. If you clicked
"Download Selected Files", you will be prompted
with this message box. Click "Open" to see the
files, or click "Save" to save the zip file to your
local machine.
File Download - Security Warning
Do you want to open or save this file?
£1
Name: JNZ2006-09-13-14-47-35.zip
Type: WinZip File, 684 bytes
From: cdx.epa.gov
Open
Save
While files from the Internet can be useful, this file type can
potentially harm your computer. If you do not trust the source, do not
open or save this software. What's the risk?
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AQS Fundamentals
CDX - Moving Data Around
3.4 Where to go for CDX Help
Do you still have questions on what CDX can do? There are a few different sources for
help with CDX:
• CDX Helpline: 1-888-890-1995. This helpline is available Monday - Friday,
8 am - 6 pm eastern time.
• Email: Send in your questions to CDX Helpdesk personnel at
EPACDX@csc.com. Include "Technical Support" in the subject line.
• Fax: You can also fax in your question to the helpdesk personnel at
1-301-429-3905. Fax support is available Monday - Friday, 8 am - 6 pm eastern
time.
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AQS Fundamentals AQS Application
4 AQS Application
As we have mentioned before, AQS contains a lot of data. Navigating through all that
data at times can feel like walking into an untamed jungle. Fortunately, there is a clear
path through the chaos. The AQS application is designed to take some of the complexity
out of dealing with the AQS database. Ready? Let's go!
4.1 About Oracle Forms
A form is piece of software that helps you navigate through the system. It may provide a
link to another form (like the Main Menu form), or it may display information contained
in one or more database tables (like the Raw Data Form). AQS utilizes many forms to
display the information in the database. A different form exists for each type of data
within AQS. For more information about the different forms, please go to section 4.8
which talks about the "Maintenance" function within AQS. But for now, we are going to
look at the various components of a form. As an example, we will use the Raw Data
form (basically because it has just about everything that we can expect to see in a form!).
Action Help Site Monitor Audit Event SamPle Values PRecision Accuracy Blanks summary Concurrence Ind Main Menu
H a n c? >; .) % si % ¦ « t < ~ * ~~ ± x i, & p ^ i ?
Maintain • Raw Data (Read Only) Tribal Mode
Raw Data Comments
Tribal Code State County
I- J FJ |063 M
Site
10001
Raw Data
Stat Reported
101
Standard
POC
r
Begin Date: End Date:
Standard Dnits
l__ . .
EPA ActionExclusion Null
Uncertainty
Mp ID
Date Time
Ind
Sample Value
Sample Value Ind
Ind
Ind Data Code
Description
Value
20060311 00:00
|p
[4.4
I ^
O i
r
Hi
|200B0310 00:00
|p
jS.9
|8.9
I
r 1
r~
r
|20060309 00:00
F
jl7.2
M 7.2
I
I
ir i
i
l
ji
|20060308 00:00
|p
|14.8
Ji4.a
|
I
r )
r~
1
r
|20060307 00:00
F
]11.9
]11.9
I
i- 1
i
1
|i
|20060306 00:00
¥
I
I"
I
I
r |as
jPOOR QUALITY ASSURANCE RES
r
|20060305 00:00
|p
|7-7
|7.r
I
l
r r~
r~
ii
|20060304 00:00
if
|7.2
\72
I
I
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r
1
r
|20060303 00:00
|p
|9.2
|9 2
I
I
r r~
i
1
|20C60302 00:00
|p
(16.6
|16.6
I I
r f-
i-
1
Qualifier Code Qualifier Desc
|VALIDATED VALUE
Qualifier Type
Monitor Protocol
Mp ID Parameter Method
li |83101 (TTs
Unit Duration Coll Frequency
pr F~~ 1
Save
Record: 112/2736 ...
-------
AQS Fundamentals
AQS Application
As you can see in Figure 4-1, there are many different things being shown at one time.
Starting from the top, we have the following pieces:
Action Help Site Monitor Audit Event SamPle Values PRecision Accuracy Blanks summary Concurrence Ind Majn Menu * Form Menu
B3 m ~ * ~~ ± * m Si ^ ^ icons
Across the top is the Title Bar for the form. In this case, it is the AQS Application Form.
Next is the menu that applies to this particular form. Please note that items on this bar
can change. In fact, you'll notice in this example that the menu items are different here
than they are for the Main Menu. Below the form menu are the icons for the application.
These icons do not change based on the form currently displayed. However, not all icons
apply to all forms. If an icon does not apply, then it will be grayed out.
So what do we have below this? That will depend greatly on what type of form you are
dealing with. So for right now we'll talk about the different components of the forms
rather than how this particular form functions. To see particular features of a given form,
please refer to section 4.8 (Maintenance) of this document.
'£S Maintain - Raw Data (Read Only) Tribal Mode
¦
Title Bar
Raw Data Comments
Tabs
1
Tribal Code State County Site Parameter
j J37 | |063 | |0001 |S8101
Refjurte
POC Begin Date: End Date:
Standard Dnits
[ios
Raw Data
Mp ID Date
Time
jih
20060311 00:00
—t
r
*
|20oeo3iue:oo
|20060309DOT^
h
|20060308 00:00
|i
|20060307 00:00
h
|20060306 00:00
h
|20060305 00:00
h
|20060304 00:00
|i
|20060303 00:00
jJ1
|20060302 00:00
Standard EPA ActionExclusion Null
Ind Sample VaLe Sample Value Ind Ind ind Data Code
f §®r n i« ~ jn r n j
Monitor Protocol
Again, starting at the top we have a title bar. This tells you the following:
• What form your are working with ("Maintain - Raw Data")
• The type of access you have according to your session you signed in with ("Read
Only")
• If you are working in "Tribal Mode". If you are not in Tribal mode, then this text
will not appear.
Next we have Tabs. Tabs do not appear on every form. Tabs provide additional
information for a record that currently has focus. You can tell which record has focus
because it is highlighted in the turquoi se color. In this case, the tab will provide any
Version 1.0
4-2
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AQS Fundamentals
AQS Application
comments provided for the raw data record corresponding to March 11, 2006 (since that
is the raw data record that has the focus).
That leads us into the discussion of data blocks or simply blocks. Different blocks are
separated by a light gray box around their fields. In this example, we have 4 distinct
blocks worth of information:
• Monitor Information
• Raw Data
• Qualifiers
• Monitor Protocols
Blocks are collections of records that have a relationship with another set of data. Um...
what? Well, in this example you have 1 monitor record (37-063-0010-88101-1) that has
a bunch of different raw data value records. So all the records from the raw data block
belongs to the monitor displayed. Well, the relationships just keep going. The data that
shows up in the qualifier block are the qualifiers that have been entered for the raw data
record that has focus. So for monitor 37-063-0010-88101-1 on March 11, 2006 (the raw
data record with the focus) has a qualifier code of "V" which means "Validated Value.
The last block indicated how the data on March 11, 2006 was collected (what method,
units of measure, and amount of time needed to collect the sample).
The last component of the form to
discuss definitely falls into that phrase
"last but not least". It is the information
bar. It is at the very bottom of the form, and can easily be overlooked. But it is always a
good idea to look down there for some very good information. The top line will tell you
what action is expected (in this case, it wants you to enter a query). The first block on the
next line will show you the number of records you have retrieved in your query. BE
CAREFUL! This record count is for the block where the cursor is currently located. For
this example, the cursor was in the monitor block. Sometimes you will see a message
here that says "Record 1/?". The "?" means that not all records have been retrieved yet.
The next block shows if you are currently in query mode. What this is intended to show
you is if you are entering filtering criteria, or if the query has already been executed. The
last block will tell you if the field where your cursor is pointed has a list of values
associated with it to help you. As you can see, sometimes these descriptions are cut off.
If they are truncated, just place your mouse over the field you want to see and the full
description will appear (as shown).
4.2 AQS Main Menu & Icons
The AQS main menu and icons guides you through the various functions available to you
within the application. It is important to note that we are talking about the main menu
here, which implies that other menus do exist. If there are sub menus or a change in a
menu that is available, it will be discussed within the section that causes the menu to
change.
Enter a query; press F8 to execute, C List of Values
Record: 1/1 Enter-Qu... List ofValu...
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AQS Application
Many of the common functions that are performed in the system have icons that can be
used to execute the functions. In cases where icons or keystrokes can be used, both will
be provided and then you can decide which you would rather use.
The AQS main menu is always located at the top of the form and looks like this:
^ AQS
Action Help Session Admin Retrieval Maintenance Critical Rev Certification Batch Correct
Here is a brief explanation of each of the elements that appear on the main menu. Each
of these will be explained in greater detail in their own section below.
"Action"
As mentioned before, we are interfacing with an Oracle database here. The action
functions are common database operations that you may want to use.
"Help"
This menu item will guide you towards available system documentation and
explanations of various functions in the system.
"Session"
This is a shortcut to bring you back to the screen where you can select if you want
to be a "Read-Only" or a "Screening Group" type of user while you are in AQS.
"Admin"
You can change your contact information as well as maintain your system
password here.
"Retrieval"
This is the primary method of selecting data from the system. Data can be created
as fixed-formatted reports, work files, or on-line tables.
"Maintenance"
This is an on-line query function that allows you to browse AQS one record (or a
small number of records) at a time.
"Critical Rev"
This is a function that can only be accessed by EPA Headquarters personnel. It
tracks data that has been marked as being questionable for some sort of reason.
The records are periodically reviewed, and data owners are notified if there are
continuing questions. This function is not covered in this document.
"Certification"
This is a function that can only be accessed by EPA Headquarters personnel. It
allows EPA Personnel to indicate that a given monitor-year's worth of data has
passed all the requirements in order to be certified. This function is not covered in
this document.
"Batch"
The batch utilities are used when large amounts of data need to be processed into
the system.
"Correct"
This utility is used in conjunction with the "Batch" utilities. If errors are identified
during the batch editing process, they may be corrected and resubmitted using this
Version 1.0
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AQS Fundamentals
AQS Application
utility. Since the function is so closely linked to the batch process, it is discussed in
detail in the "Batch" section of this document.
4.3 Action Functions - Oracle Forms Jargon
4.3.1 Save versus Rollback
One of the real powers that a database has is that the
information that you are seeing is being shared by everyone.
The data is stored in a common place (in this case, on a server
at the NCC), and follows the same rules for everyone. AQS is
a living, breathing thing. The data within it are constantly
changing. If you have access to a screening group, you may
have the ability to change information in AQS as well. If you
do, you need to understand the concept of "Save" and
"Rollback" as it applies to the database.
4.3.1.1 Save
When you attempt to change data that is stored on tables within
AQS, the change doesn't take effect until you save (or commit)
those changes. You cannot "undo" or "go back" once you save
your changes. If you have saved your changes, your only choice is to manually change
them back. So when do you need to save? Keep in mind that unless you are querying
data, any entry that you make into AQS is probably updating a table. So many times
when you try to leave a screen, you will get a message that looks like this:
Forms
Q
e
Do you want to save the changes you have made?
! Yes
No
Cancel
What this is trying to tell you is that you have made a change somewhere in the database
and if you want to SAVE these changes.
So how do you go about saving your data? As usual, there are several options:
1. Since we are in the "Action" menu item section, I guess we should mention this
option first! Click on "Action" -> "Save".
2. As you have already seen, if you try to leave a screen you will be asked if you
want to save your changes. Answering "Yes" will save your changes.
3. Click on the "Save" icon. It is in the upper left corner of the
screen and looks like this ~
W
4.
Hit the "F10" key on your keyboard. Note that the action menu will show
alternative key strokes that you can use if they are available.
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AQS Fundamentals
AQS Application
4.3.1.2 Rollback
A "rollback" will erase all changes made to the database since the last time you saved. In
general, AQS does not let you go too far before it makes you save your work, so
honestly, this function is quite limited. However, you may find the occasional need to
erase and start over. So here's the different ways to "Rollback" your work:
1. Since we are in the "Action" menu item section, I guess we should mention this
option first! Click on "Action" -> "Rollback".
2. As you have already seen, if you try to leave a screen you will be asked if you
want to save your changes. Answering "No" will rollback your changes.
3. Click on the "Rollback" icon. It is towards the upper right side
of the screen and looks like this ~
4. Hit the "Esc" key on your keyboard. Note that the action menu will show
alternative key strokes that you can use if they are available.
4.3.2 Navigation Buttons (Main Menu & Exit)
There are several places within
the AQS menu structure that have
a short cut to the "Main Menu".
To the left is a screen capture of
the Main Menu form. There
really isn't anything that you can
do on this form other than use it
as a launching point to all the
other areas within the application.
The other short cut navigation
button that is available is the
"Exit" function. This will end
your AQS session. If you have
made changes to the form that you are on, you will get a message prompting you if you
want to save your changes. If you haven't made any database changes since the last time
you saved, you will exit the system. As usual, there is more than one way to exit the
application:
1. Click on "Action" "Exit".
2. Hold down the "Ctrl" key and "q" on your keyboard.
3. Click on the "Exit" icon. It is the third icon moving from -kl™-
left to right.
4.3.3 Oracle Form Functions (Edit, Query, Block, Record & Field)
If you have general questions about Oracle forms, please refer to section 4.1 (About
Oracle Forms). These function all relate to dealing with fields and records displayed in
the forms. Nearly all of the functions provided on the menu are available through the use
of icons and / or short cut keys. In these cases, the alternate methods of executing the
functions will be provided.
rwj
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Arton SmUw g«ln«vtf Ml£nt
-------
AQS Fundamentals
AQS Application
4.3.3.1 Edit
Query
Block
Record
Field
M Cut
* Copy
* Paste
> Edit
Display List...
The edit functions allow you to perform basic
functions against a field. The following functions can
be performed under the "Edit" list:
Ctri+e
F9
Cut
Copy
Paste
Display list
E9
m
(Ctrl + "x")
(Ctrl + "c")
(Ctrl + "v")
(F9) - This will produce
a "Drop down" list of entries for the field where
your cursor is currently located (if applicable).
Edit (Ctrl + "e")
I've included the "Edit" function, but it is a fairly useless function. This is because AQS
controls what mode a record is in based on the authority you have for the record. So
basically, either you have edit authority or you don't. So if you ever find a neat use for
this function, let me know!
Edit
Block
Record
Field
Edit
Query
Record
Field
Execute
FS
Cancel
Esc
Last Criteria
Court Hits
Shift+F2
Fetch Next Set
Ctrl+>
4.3.3.2 Query
As the name implies, these are functions that you
can do while you are trying to query records from
the database. The following functions can be
performed from the "Query" list:
Execute
criteria entered.
Cancel
g-j (F8) - Executes the current query with the filter
(Esc) - Cancels the current query
Last Criteria - This will load the last set of values for which you queried in
the form.
Count Hits (Shift + F2) - Counts the number of records that the query will
return. This is especially useful when you get a message that says "Record
1/?". Selecting this function will replace the "?" with the number of records
that the query finds.
Fetch Next Set (Ctrl + ">") -
¦ Previous
Next
Clear
F11
F12
Shifl+F5
4.3.3.3 Block
Admittedly, these functions also have limited use.
However, they are included for completeness sake.
These controls are really designed for those who
really don't like to work with a mouse. Essentially the "Next" and "Previous" will step
you to different areas of the form, one section at a time (or one Tab at a time if
applicable). This can easily be performed by clicking on the area of the form you would
like to be in. The "Clear" function simply clears entries that are in any field with the
block where the cursor is located. This is duplicated by using the "Enter Query"
function.
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AQS Fundamentals
AQS Application
Edit
k
Query
)
Block
| Record
Previous
Shift+Up
Field
>
Next
Shift* Down
Help
*
Scroll Up
Page Up
Window
Scroll Down
Page Down
Tribal Mode On
Insert
F6
Tribal Mode Off
Remove
Shitt+F6
Lock
Duplicate F4
Clear Shift+F4
4.3.3.4 Record
As you can see from the picture, there are a lot of
functions under this menu item. However, since
most of them have alternate keystrokes and / or
icons, the menu items themselves are pretty
limited in the usefulness. But there are lots of
good icons to introduce here, so let's get going!
Menu Item
Description
Icon
Keystroke
Previous
Takes you to the previous record selected by the
query
4
Shift +
"Page Up"
Next
Takes you to the next record selected by the query
~
Shift +
"Page
Down"
Scroll Up
This will display the previous set of records that can
be displayed on a scrollable block of records
"Page Up"
Scroll Down
This will display the next set of records that can be
displayed on a scrollable block of records
"Page
Down"
Lock
No real use for this function given that the access to
records in AQS is based on your role in the current
session.
Insert
Inserts a new record into the current block below
where your cursor is currently located.
JL
F6
Remove
Deletes the entire record where the cursor is currently
located
X
Shift + F6
Duplicate
Makes a copy of the record where the cursor is
currently located and places in the very next record
line. This can only be used in a multi-record type of
block.
"S
F4
Clear
Erases all the entries for a given record. It does not
delete the record. It makes all the values for the
record NULL
Shift + F4
Goes to the first record selected by the query
t
Goes to the last record selected by the query
i
Edit
Query
Block
Record
Previous
Shift+Tab
Next
Tab
Clear
Ctrl+u
Duplicate
F3
4.3.3.5 Field
Much like the "Block" functions, these functions
also have limited use. However, they are included
for completeness sake. These controls are really
designed for those who really don't like to work
with a mouse. Essentially the "Next" and
"Previous" will step you to different areas of the
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form, one field at a time in the order determined by the programmer. This can easily he
performed by clicking on the field in the form you would like to be. The "Clear" (Ctrl +
"if) function simply clears the content of the field where the cursor is located. It is
essentially the same as a "Delete". The "Duplicate" (F3) function "3. will copy the
contents of the current cell with the value from the record directly above it. Obviously,
this function will only work if there are multiple records displayed within a given block
If you are wondering if you are currently in Tribal mode, just look
at the blue bar at the top of your form. If you are in Tribal mode,
the bar will look like this:
Maintain - Monitors (Read Only) Tribal Mode
4.3.4 Working in "Tribal Mode"
Remember at the very beginning of this manual we talked about what uniquely identifies
a site in AQS? Actually, I don't remember either, so it's worth mentioning again. There
are two ways that you can select sites in AQS:
1. Specify the State code, county code, and site id where the site resides. This is
the default method of identifying sites in AQS. However, there is another way.
2. Specify the Tribal Code and site id where the site resides. For those sites that
exist on Tribal lands and the owners of the data have identified which Tribal
lands to which these sites reside, you can identify the site by this combination of
values.
~ * ' illustrate this, take a look at the map below:
Let's say we have a site located at red
star on the map. The site ID for this
site is "0001". This site clearly would
reside within the St. Regis Mohawk
Indian Reservation (Tribal code =
"007"). However, it also resides
within Franklin County, New York
(State code = "36" and county code =
"033"). So, within AQS you could
either identify this site as:
• 36-033-0001 (default mode)
OR
• TT-007-0001 (Tribal mode)
By checking the "Tribal User" box on
your user profile, you set the default method of displaying site id in the Tribal mode
versus the default mode. This method of displaying the sites applies to all forms and
reports within the system.
Where the words "Tribal Mode" will appear after the listing of
your currently selected screening group or "Read Only".
So how do you tell AQS that you want to view the data in Tribal
mode or Default mode? Two ways:
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1. The last two items on the "Action" menu bar will let you toggle between "Default
Mode" and "Tribal Mode" by either turning the Tribal mode "On" or turning the
Tribal mode "Off.
2. To make viewing data in Tribal mode your default setting when you sign on to
AQS, check the "Tribal User" check box on the "Admin" -> "Security" form on
your user profile (See section 4.5 for screen prints of this form). The Tribal user
check box is in the bottom right corner of the user information of this form.
4.4 Help
Keys
Display Error
About
Ctrl+F1
Shift+F1
Well, I've tried to structure this guide according to the way the items
are laid out on the main menu. As with any good plan, occasionally
one must stray from the plan a bit. The "Help" menu item is such an
item. Many of the most helpful elements of the system are not
accessible through the menu structure. In fact, some aren't even in the
application at all! But we will look at what is available through the
application first.
4.4.1 Application Help
'H AQSHelp - Microsoft Internet Explorer
File Edit View Favorites Tools Help
©Back Q - ^ £\ g) p search
~0®
€* ' , *l ¦ tiT*
Address m https: //iasint. rtpnc. epa. gov/aqs web/helpf iles/helpf ile, htm
Google [iGj-r | Go f €> i
vr -
' ~ Bookmarks* j§] Popups okay | ^ Check ~ \ ~ Send to*
b [ | Pop-Up Blocker ^ Upgrade Now! * | Q Mail * © My Vahoo! Gjp Answers * ^ Hot Jobs • Games
Go Links
) Settings ~
I Search |
Type in the keyword to find:
Accuracy Report
Ad Hoc Reports
Add A New Role
Add A New User
Admin Message of the Day
Air Quality Index Report
Air Quality Index Summary Report (AMP41 OS;
Air Quality Index Workfiie format
Air Quality Report
All Parameters Format
All Parameters Quick Look Work File Format
All Roles
Annual Summary
Application Administrator
Application Audits
AQI
Batch
Batch load formats
Browse
CADump
California Dump Bucket
Carbon Monoxide Format
Carbon Monoxide Work File Format
CDX a
AQS HELP APPLICATION
Welcome to the AQS Help System.
Please select the Index tab to access a list of informative topics on the AQS Application. Or use Search to
find a specific word or phrase.
Additional documentation and training materials can be found at this address:
http://www, ep a. gov/ttn/ airs/airs aq s/manuals/manuals. htm
AQS Help Desk 1 (866) 411 4EPA
Help Revision 1.14 02-02-06
Sfr] Local intranet
Figure 4-2
Of the four choices that appear on the "Help" menu, the first item ("Help") is the most
useful. When you click on "Help" (or F1 if you prefer), you will be taken to the on-line
help. This is an application that is external to the application and will open another
browser window. The topics are organized in two ways:
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• Index
• Search
Each of these options is accessible through the left hand side of the application (see
Figure 4-2 above). For the Index feature of help, when you click on a displayed topic,
the information for that topic will appear on the right. For the "Search" feature, type in a
word or phrase that you are trying to get help with ("Probe Height" for example). Hit the
"Enter" key to execute the search. All topics with the word or phrase in the title or the
description will be displayed on the left-hand side of the screen. Again, click on the
subject of interest to see the detailed description on the right side.
4.4.2 Other Help Menu Items
There are three other menu items available to you: "Keys", "Display Error", and
"About". The "Keys" item (also invoked by Ctrl + Fl) will show you a listing of all the
short-cut keystrokes available in the system. The last two items can be very helpful if
you are having problems. This information may not help you, but it will help our support
staff root out your problem. The first is the "Display Error" (also invoked by Shift + Fl).
Selecting this function will display the
FRM-42100: No errors encountered recently.
Record: 1/1
/"'] Ab o ut R ee n g inee re d AQ S
AQS Version: 31
Status: Production
Current Form: ^00
Current Form Version: 1-29
Close
last error encountered on the message
bar at the bottom of the form. Always
keep an eye on this portion of the form. It
doesn't really jump out at you, but the system is
trying to provide you with useful information.
The other function that is available through the
help menu is "About". "About" provides a
description of which form you are currently
using. For example, from the "Sessions" form,
clicking on "About" provides the information
you see on the left. Noting this information can
be very helpful to the programmers to find any errors that may be happening within the
system.
4.4.3 Field Level Help
There is another category of help that is available through the system. It is the field level
help. This is information that is provided as you are on a given field within the system.
The information is displayed in the information bar at the bottom of the screen. For
example, if you put your cursor on the "State Code" field on the Maintenance -> Site
form, you will see this information appear in the information bar:
Enter a State FIPS code that identifies one of the 50 states or other countries.
This information can also be acquired by pressing the ? icon in the upper right of the
icon bar. Although the information it displays is nearly identical to what is presented in
the information bar, it is displayed in a separate window using the Help function
interface. Some people find this interface a better since they could then go and find help
on other items in a separate application without interfering what they are doing on AQS.
As usual, many ways of doing the same thing.
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4.4.4 User Manuals and Guides
The final area of help is the user manuals and guides that we make available for the
system on OAQPS Technology Transfer Network (or the TTN). The manuals are all
available in Adobe's Portable Data File (PFF) format. The manuals provide the most
detailed documentation for how fields are derived and used with the AQS application.
You can find these manuals at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/manuals/manuals.htm.
4.5 Sessions & Screening Groups
The first confusing thing that we must address is this concept of a "Session" and a
"Screening Group". These items are used extensively throughout the system and will
determine what features will be available to you.
After you enter your user id and password to enter the AQS application (see section 2.3
"Logging in AOS" if you have question as how to do this), you will be given a screen that
looks like this:
§h AQS
Action Help Session Admin Retrieval Maintenance Critical Rev Certification Batch Correct
m -i % m ^ ¦ « t * ~ * ± x a *] ip ^i?
You have accessed AQSPROD. Raw data for 1993 to present is now available for access. Raw data is available for update for 2000 to present.
LOOK FOR ANSWERS TO "Frequently Asked Questions" AT: ftttp://Www.epa.govrttn/airs/airsaqs/faq/faq.htm.
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL THE EPA CALL CENTER AT 1 -866-411-4EPA (1 -866-411 -4372) Hours: 6:00am- 6:30pm Eastern.
Figure 4-1
4.5.1 About Sessions
Whether you know it or not, as soon as you enter AQS you start a session. A session is a
profile that you establish for yourself when you enter the system. The default profile that
is granted when you enter is the "Read Only User" profile. What this means is that you
can see all data that has been deemed ready to be given to the public by the owner of the
data. Notice in the blue bar above the radio button that it has the name of the form you
are working with (in this case, the "Select Session Access" form) as well as what type of
role you are assigned ("Read Only" in this case). The "Read Only" role should be
selected if you only need to look at data. If you need to insert, update, or delete data that
you own, you need to select a screening group. Umm.... A what?! ?! Read on!
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4.5.2 About Screening Groups
A screening group is an organization that owns monitors within AQS. This organization
could be a state agency, a county agency, a tribe, an EPA office, a private organization,
or a government contractor. You may have been given access to many different
screening groups, or you may have access to no screening groups. It all depends on how
your user profile was established when you filled out the registration form (See section
2.1 "Registering for a User ID" for more information). You can see what screening
groups you have access to by clicking on the "Screening Groups Access" radio button on
the "Select Session Access" form. When you do, your screen should look something like
this (your list of screening groups will very likely not be the same):
Action Help Session Admin Retrieval Maintenance Critical Rev Certification Batch
H Si -10- K M 3 i H l;>a I B H T i ~ 4 ~~ i
(Select Session Access (Read Only)
Correct
X 1, V |T
%\ ?
B33
C Read Only User
t* Screening Group Access
£3 Select a Screening Group
Select a Screening Group for this session:
You have accessed I-
LOOK FOR ANSWERS
IF YOU NEED ASSIST/
ite tor 2000 to present.
JL
|F>M25SPECIATtON
OAOTEST
jOTHER
EPA HEADQUARTERS
[admin
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT G
(admin
jSCAQMD, CA HOURLY
[local
~ ||USER_SUPPORT
jOTHER
screening group:
23AQS (Pm25speciation)
Select the screening
group that you
would like to work
with. Most of the
time, you will only
have one screening
group to choose
from. Click on the
"OK" button when
complete.
Notice the blue bar
above the radio
button has changed
to show that you
have selected a
4.5.3 "Read Only" Versus Screening Group Access
So is there a big difference in entering the system as a read-only user verses one with a
screening group? YES! First of all, you are prevented from certain areas of the system is
you are a read-only user. Take a look at the following chart. It illustrates what menu
items are accessible depending whether you are signed on as "Read Only" or with a
screening group:
AQS
Action Help Session Admin Retrieval Maintenance Critical Rev CErtification Batch Correct
Selected User Access
Menu Item
Read Only
Screening Group
Admin
Action (Any item)
~
Help (Any item)
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Selected User Access
Menu Item
Read Only
Screening Group
Admin
Session
Y
Y
Admin - Security
S
S
Admin - All other options
X
X
S
Retrieval (Any item)
S
S
S
Maintenance (Any item)
S
S
S
Critical Rev (Any item)
X
X
Y
Certification (Any item)
X
X
S
Batch (Any item)
X
s
S
Correct (Any item)
X
Hey! Wait a minute! What is this "Admin" column that suddenly showed up?!? Well,
this is a special role that is available to a few users (the author of this guide being one of
them). These are special functions and tables that are needed to be maintained to keep
the system running. I have included this role to show who has access to these other menu
items. If you try to select a menu item that you do not have appropriate access based on
your session profile, you will get this message:
1 Application Security1 Error
51
Error: Yqu are not;
authorij
! OK !
?ed to access this module.
1
So there are a couple of menu items that can't be accessed as a read-only user. What
else? If you sign on as a read-only user, you can only view data that has been approved
by the data owner as ready to view. There are some reports that look at data that is "pre-
production" (not ready to be viewed by everyone). These reports are not accessible to
read-only users. This will be explained more thoroughly in section 4.3 Retrievals -
Getting Data out of AOS.
In a similar fashion, the data you can access using the "Maintenance" function varies
greatly depending what kind of access you select during your session.
• Read-only: You can access any data that is classified as "Production" data
• Screening Group Access: You can select any data (production or pre-production)
from any monitor that the screening group owns. However, you cannot access
any data that is not owned by the screening group.
This will be explained in greater detail in section 4.4 Maintenance - Reviewing, Editing,
and Creating Data.
4.5.4 Changing Your Session Profile
If you realize in the middle of working with AQS that you need to change from a read-
only user to start working with one of your screening groups (or vice versa), it is no big
Version 1.0
4-14
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Security
Reference
User Statistics
Appi Audits
Export Ca Dump Bucket
Mantain Monitoring Season
Ill iy '-Jl UUfJ
AQS Application
deal. You can change your session profile at
any time. All you have to do is click on the
"Session" menu item:
AQS
Action Helpj
^essionj
jftdmin Retrieval Maintenance Critical Rev CErtification Batch Correct
Clicking on this
menu item will senc
you back to the screen shown in Figure 4-1 and you can then select your new profile.
4.6 Administration Tools
For most users, there is only one active menu choice under the "Admin" main menu:
"Security". This will allow you to change descriptive information about yourself as well
as give you access to changing your AQS and CDX passwords. When you select
"Admin" -> "Security", you will see the following screen:
yfl Ad ministration - Application Security (Read Only)
fvlsiinisiin Security
User Profile
Securi
mEIIIIBIM Rrj|
I
First Name
Phone |919-541 7738
Zip Code 27711 |
County Code u6:i
Last |MILLER
Street Address 1 |EPA Building
City |Research Triangle Park
User ID JNZ
Fax |9195417738
User Type H
Status Ind P
E Mail miller .jonathan@epamail.ef:
Street Address 2 |Room 335F
State Code w
Agency Code |1108
AOS Contact N
EPA Region Code f04 J
Tribal User
Change Your Oracle Passwords
AQS Mew Password:
CDX
Confirm pa:
OK
Current CDX Password: f
Synchronize CDX
Your user information is automatically selected. You will not have the ability to look at
information for anyone else. Notice there are two sections in this form. The top half of
the form provides information that you are able to change. Where lists of values are
available, a drop-down list is provided. The bottom half of the form allows you to
change your AQS and / or CDX passwords. Detailed instructions of how to change your
passwords are found in sections 2.4 Changing Your AOS Password and 2.5
Synchronizing Your CDX Password.
4.7 Retrievals - Getting Data out of AQS
When you get right down to it, AQS can essentially do two things: Get data into the
system, and get data out of the system. This section deals with how to get large
quantities of data out of the system in a formatted report. There are many different types
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of reports and formats, and options available when you are creating reports in AQS.
Collectively, these filter options, report options, and output options are called a criteria
set. Criteria sets can be saved for later use or saved in a "public" area to be used by other
users. So let's get started, shall we?!?
4.7.1 Overview
The standard report criteria interface screen (also referred to by its module name as the
"R31 form") is the mechanism by which all standard reports are created. The R31 form
collects the following information from the user in order to create a report:
• What report to run
• The type of output desired
o Formatted report
o Textworkfile
o XML output
• Delivery Method
o On-line (interactively)
o Batch (background)
• What data to be included in the report
o By geography
o By time periods
o By reporting organization
o By screening groups
o By land use
o By monitor types
o By parameter, parameter category, sampling duration, and/or sampling
methodology
• Specify report sort order
• Select report options
Collectively, this information is called a "Criteria set". Criteria sets can be named and
saved to be used at a later time. This topic is covered in detail under Section 2.2.7:
Saving Criteria Sets and Section 3: Using Saved Criteria Sets.
It is important to realize that not all parts of R31 are available for all reports. For
example, if you were creating a report for annual summary information, it would not
make sense to base your time selections on a Year / Month / Day basis since the report
only displays data on a yearly aggregation.
4.7.2 What is Returned
The type of information that is sent back to the user is very much dependant on what type
of report has been requested. All reports have a cover page which shows the following
information:
• What report was run
• What information was supplied to R31 to generate the output
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This report is always generated in Portable Document Format (PDF). If a "REPORT"
output option is specified and the report is also generated in PDF format, the cover sheet
and the report may be "merged" together into a single document. At this time, you must
specify the "REPORT MERGE" option to "YES" in order for this feature to work. For
more information, see section 2.2.6.1, "Merge PDF File Option" for more information.
If the output of the report is in a different file format from the cover page or if the
"REPORT MERGE" option is set to "NO", then a ZIP file is created containing the PDF
cover page and the various requested report formats.
4.7.3 Tribal Mode
Within the application, sites may be identified in one of two ways:
Method 1. Unique combination of State Code - County Code - Site ID. The site may
or may not be identifiable by "Method 2".
Method 2. Unique combination of Tribal Code - Site ID. If a site can be identified
by this method, it can also be identified by "Method 1". This method is called the
"Tribal format"
If users want to select and sort data by Tribal Code and display the information in the
Tribal format, they must be in "Tribal mode" for the current session. You can determine
if you are in Tribal mode by looking at the blue title bar above the R31 tabs. If the words
"Tribal Mode" appear like this, for example,
Standard Report Criteria Selection (Read Only) Tribal Mode
then you are in Tribal mode. If you are not in tribal mode, the title bar will look
something like this:
ig Standard Report Criteria Selection (Read Only)
There are 2 ways to set the session to be in Tribal mode:
1. From the "Action" Menu item - This will alter the current session to turn the
Tribal mode on or off
Version 1.0
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Exit
Edit
Query
Block
Record
Field
Help
Window
Ctrl+q
Tribal Mode Off
iviui iiLur ^biibiuLiQn(detail)
C Area Selection
Gene
2. Update User Profiles - To change the default way your session is set with respect
to Tribal mode you may update your user profile record as appropriate. Go to
Admin / Security menu items and check or uncheck the "Tribal User" check box
on the "User Profile" tab as appropriate. If the user is defined as a tribal user on
this screen, they will be put in Tribal mode whenever they sign on to the system.
Please note that this mode also applies to other areas of the application, such as
the Maintain form modules.
User Profile
Eicurily Psference Tabls'j I fvlciincai
S^C# I
User History
First Name |J0NATHAN
Phone |919-541 7738
Zip Code 127711
County Code |063
User ID ,jnz
Initial
Street Address 1
EPA Building
~_d
Unix Acct aqhqimOO
Fax 9195417738
User Type
Status Ind
E Mail
City |Research Triangle Park
d
|H
|miller .jonathan@epamail .epe
Last |MILLER
Street Address 2 |Room 335F
State Code w
Agency Code |i 108
AOS Contact |n
EPA Region Code [04
Tribal User
4.7.4 Creating a Report
The Standard Reports Selection Form is the primary user interface in generating the pre-
defined (or standard) reports within the AQS application. Different interface options
appear for each report, depending on if the report supports the particular feature.
4.7.4.1 Accessing R31
The R31 form is accessed by selecting the '
"Retrieval" menu (see Figure 4-3 below).
Standard Report Selection" option from the
Version 1.0
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|Bms ElgBl
Action Help Session Admin Maintenance Critical Rev Certification Batch COrrect
Hi I ^ Browse Annual Summary
i ~ * » * * a ^ ?
BRowse Monitoring Season
BrOwse Sample Methodology
BroWse State Threshold
BrowSe Parameter
BrowsE Audits
H CDX K
Main Menu
5/24/2005 The problem experienced by several users that precision transactions for collocated monitors were rejecting with the message "Error on line 2:
Unable to find Raw Data record for Precision Record" has been corrected. Please load precision transactions again.
5/18/2005 You have accessed AQSPROD on the new hardware. Thank you for your patience while this transition was completed. The database is now
available for routine updates as well as retrievals. Reports from the other AQSPROD will be copied over so recently run reports will be available just as
before.
Raw data for 1994 to present is now available for access. Raw data for 1993 has been archived. Atthough the raw data is all in the same database
table, updates will continue to be limited for older data. Raw data is available for update for 2000 to present.
Look for answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" at
http: //Www .epa .govrttn/airs/airsaqs/f aq/f aq .htm.
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL THE EPA CALL CENTER at
-866-411-4EPA (1 -866-411 -4372) Hours: 6:00am- 6:30pm Eastern.
PH J'
{Record: 1/1 | | ... | | |
Figure 4-3 - Accessing Standard Reports
4.7.4.2 Criteria Set Tab
When first entering the R31 form, the "Criteria Set" Tab is active and the form is blank.
This form will remain blank until either:
a) The user selects a previously saved "Criteria Set" name from the drop-down list
(shown in section "2" in Figure 2 below). These previously saved criteria sets
may be either "Private" criteria sets created by the user or "Public" criteria sets
created by another user. Use of this option is covered in Section 3 ("Using Saved
Criteria Sets").
b) The reports are listed in alphabetical order based on the name of the report. Each
report has an associated report code. The user selects a "Report Code" from the
drop-down list (shown in section "3" in Figure 2 below). This indicates that this
is a new report being requested. Once the report code is selected, the R31 form is
now able to determine the following information:
a. What report outputs are available
b. What fields may be selected upon
c. If any sorting of the selected records is allowed
d. What report options are available
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Figure 4-4 - Criteria Set Tab
After the desired report is specified, the pertinent parts of the form are populated and the
appropriate tabs are activated. The following items are filled out on the "Criteria Set"
tab:
• The report name (Section "3" in Figure 4-4)
• The "Run Online" output option is selected by default (Section "3" in Figure 4-4).
There are three options for how the reports are returned to the user
o Run Online - This option indicates that the results of the report will be
returned directly to the screen,
o Send via Email - The results of the report will be sent to the user's email
address as defined in their user profile,
o Send to CDX - The results of the report are sent to your Central Data
Exchange (CDX) account. You are responsible for signing on to CDX
and downloading the resulting file yourself.
• Depending on what elements are selected, additional windows appear in Section
"3" of Figure 4-4. For example, if "REPORT" is a valid output type and it is
checked, then Figure 4-4 Section 3 will look like this:
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. Report Outputs
^ e^c?nhrE! p REPORT
C Send via Email WORKFILE
r
C Send to CDX
Print Format PDF
Note the new "Print Format" field. By default it will have Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF) files as the default. PDF is the file format for which the standard
formatted reports were designed and is usually the best option. However, the
following formats are also available for any formatted report:
• Postscript (PS)
• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
• Rich Text Format (RTF)
• HP Printer Language (HPL)
• Plain Text (TXT)
If either the "Send via Email" or "Send to CDX" options are checked, a text field
appears for you to optionally specify the name of the file it outputs.
Report Outputs
F REPORT Print Format [PDF
r WORKFILE
r File Name |test_filename|
r
C Run Online
(* Send via Email
C Send to CDX
• The appropriate "Report Outputs" available for the report are displayed (Section
"3" in Figure 4-4). At least one output option will be checked by default.
• The "Monitor Selection (detail)" selection mode will be selected by default
(Section "4" in Figure 4-4). You may specify your selection criteria by
geographic information related to monitor attributes (State - County - Site ID -
Parameter Code - POC) or by more general geographic entities (Tribal Areas,
State, County, City, EPA Region, etc). You may switch selection modes before
executing a query by checking the appropriate radio button in Section "4" in
Figure 4-4, but the information that you have placed on the "Monitor Selection"
tab will not be carried over. You will receive a warning to this effect.
iForrns
~ 1
A Changing tabs may delete some of the criteria you
~ \ have selected. Do you want to continue?
! Yes j
No
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Click on "Yes" to continue to use the other selection mode. Click "No" to stay in
your current mode and retain your current information.
• The other appropriate tabs will become active (Section "1" in Figure 4-4)
4.7.5 Monitor Selection and Area Selection Tabs
4.7.5.1 Basic Function
You specify your selection criteria either by "Monitor Selection" or by "Area Selection".
Which tab is active is dependant on which radio button is selected on the "Criteria Set"
tab (Section "4" in Figure 2). The basic functions of these tabs are the same; the only
difference is what fields are available in which to specify your selection criteria. The
general idea of these tabs is to limit or filter the records that are selected from the
database. This is done by specifying geographic, temporal, and / or pollutant information
to select only the sites or areas desired. Which fields are available is dependant on the
selected report. If a field is not appropriate for the report, it will not appear on the screen.
4.7.5.2 How the Selections Work
As you can see in Figure 3, the Monitor Selection tab is broken in to four areas:
• Site - Monitor Criteria - Allows selection by the components of the monitor id.
Specifically these are the Tribal Code, State Code, County Code, Site ID,
Parameter Code, and Parameter Occurrence Code (POC). In addition, you may
specify method code, sample duration code, and the effective date range.
• Global Report Criteria - Allows selection by a category of parameters
("CRITERIA" category selects all of the criteria pollutant parameters), a single
parameter, sample duration, and method code. NOTE: If you have specified any
of these types of elements in the "Site - Monitor Criteria" section, you will not be
allowed to enter them here.
• Global Data Range - Allows selection by the appropriate date range specified
for the given report. NOTE: If you have specified any of the date elements in the
"Site - Monitor Criteria" section, you will not be allowed to enter them here.
• Global Screening Group - Allows selection by owners of the monitors.
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! Standard Report Criteria Selection (Read Only) AMP350 Tribal Mode
Criteria Set i Monitor Selection! Area sel
Sort Order
Report Options Retrieve Reports
[T-nTxl
Tribal
Code
State
Code
r =
r_
rj
n
n
n
r
County
Code
Site-Monitor Criteria
Site Parameter Method
Id Code poc Code
Duration
Code
Start Date
YYYY MM
End Date
YYYY MM
Global Report Criteria
Pollutant Type
Parameter
Code
Method Code
Duration Code
Global Date Range
Start Date End Date
YYYY MM DD YYYY MM DD
sf
¦r" r~ r
"i-1- r
"f-r
"i-r
Global Screening Group
Screening Group Mame
"J
Generate Report
Figure 4-5 - Monitor Selection Tab
The form allows for multiple rows of selections in each category except for "Global
Screening Group". The following rules are enforced when the program builds the query:
• All data entered into a single row within a given category are linked together with
"AND" conditions.
• Rows within the same category are linked together with "OR" conditions
• Data between the categories are linked together with "AND" conditions.
In figure 4 below the query would read as follows:
Plain English Version:
"Select Sites in Autauga County (County Code "001") Alabama (State Code "01") OR in
Norfolk County (County Code "021") Massachusetts (State Code "25") AND measuring
Criteria pollutants AND operating from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2000."
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Criteria Set
Monitor Selection
Sort Order ] Report Options | Retrieve Reports |
Tribal
State
County
Site
Parameter
Code
Code
Code
Id
Code
POC
g
joi -
|001 *
•
|'
1
-
|2S -
9 -
I
-
r~
I
I ¦
I
r~
r
I ¦
I
r
r~
I ¦
I ¦
I
1 ¦
r~
i ¦
I ¦
I
r
r~
I ¦
I ¦
I
1 ¦
r~
M
i 1
I
I
1 M
r~
Site-Monitor Criteria
Method
Code
Duration
Code
Start Date
YYYY MM
End Date
YYYY MM DD
Global Report Criteria
Pollutant Type
Parameter
Code
Method Code
Duration Code
CRITERIA
||»
1 11
r
1 H
r
r
r
r
r
t
r
¦
r
Global Date Range
Start Date End Date
YYYY MM DD YYYY MM DD
999 [01 (01 |2000 jl2 |31
Global Screening Group
Screening Group Name
"J
Generate Report
I\
Figure 4-6 - Query Example
Since no filtering criteria were specified on things like Tribal Code, Method Code,
Duration Code, or Screening Group, they do not appear in the language of the query.
That is to say that what records are retrieved will not be limited by these categories.
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4.7.5.3 Differences Between the Selection Tabs
Examine Figure 5 below. This is the "Area Selection" tab. Conceptually, it works the
same way as the Monitor Selection tab shown in Figure 3 above. The difference
between them is what elements you may select. The following chart shows all the
available fields and on which tabs they are located. Not all these elements are available
with all reports.
Criteria Set
Area Selection
Sort Order
Report Options Retrieve Reports
Tribal state County Site
Code Code Code Id
Geographical Criteria
City AQCR UAR MSA
Code Code Code Code
CMSA EPA Region
Code Code
_J I .
Monitor Type
Land Use Type
Reporting Organization
Protocol Criteria
Pollutant Type
Parameter Method
Code Code
Duration
Code
Generate Report
Date Criteria
Start Date End Date
YYYY MM DD YYYY MM
[
T~ r
r
i-r
i-r
Screening Group Name
Screening Group
'_d
Figure 4-7 - Area Selection Tab
Field Name
Monitor
Area
Field Name
Monitor
Area
Selection
Selection
Selection
Selection
Tribal Code
V
V
Reporting
Organization
V
State Code
V
V
Land Use
V
County Code
V
V
Monitor Type
V
Site Id
V
Global Pollutant
Type
V
V
Monitor Single
V
Global Single
V
V
Parameter
Parameter
POC
V
Global Method
V
V
Monitor Method
V
Global Duration
V
V
Monitor Duration
V
Global Date
Range
V
V
Monitor Date
V
AQCR Code
V
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Range
City Code
MSA Code
Urban Area Code
EPA Region
CMSA Code
Screening Group
One of the "not so obvious" differences is that the Monitor Selection tab includes
Parameter Code, Method Code, Duration Code, and date ranges on each row in the
selection criteria. The Area Selection tab does not. The implication is that the Monitor
Selection tab allows you to customize what is selected for each monitor whereas this
information must be applied to all the geographic records selected from the Area
Selection tab. For example, if you wanted 2000 data from Ohio and 2004 data from
Virginia, you could only construct this type of a query in the Monitor Selection tab
because of the "AND" and "OR" nature of combining the specified criteria. Here is what
this query would look like using the "Monitor Selection" tab:
Tribal State
Code Code
County
Code
Site-Monitor Criteria
Site
Id
Parameter
Code
Method
POC Code
Duration
Code
Start Date
YYYY
MM
DD
End Date
YYYY
MM DD
-
1 1
1
|2000
[oi
01
|2000
12 31
|i2~N~
-
1 1
•
|2004
12
I31
2004
I
1
i
1
I
v~
-
Note that the date range only applies to the other information in the same line. So this
would read "Select Sites where the State Code is for Ohio ("39") and the date range is
from 2000-01-01 through 2000-12-31 OR the state code is for Virginia ("51") and the
date range is from 2004-01-01 through 2004-12-31".
A similar query in the "Area Selection" Mode would look like this:
The "Geographical Criteria" section of the form it would look like this:
Tribal
Code
State County Site
Code Code Id
fIrF
Geographical Criteria
City AQCR UAR MSA
Code Code Code Code
¦jr
nr
Zr
CMSA
Code
nr
nr
EPA Region
Code
I
I
v~
The "Date Criteria" section would look like this:
Date Criteria
Start Date End Date
YYYY MM DD YYYY MM DD
A
2000
01
[oi
2000
12
pr
¦v
2004
01
|01
|2004
|12 |31|
The combination of these two things would read "Select Sites where the State Code is for
Ohio ("39") OR the state code is for Virginia ("51") AND the date range is from 2000-
01-01 through 2000-12-31 OR the date range is from 2004-01-01 through 2004-12-31."
The date range would apply to both geographical entities. There is a similar logic with
the single parameter, duration, and sampling methods columns as well.
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4.7.5.4 Sort Order Tab
Every report has a defined sort order. Many of the reports allow you to change the sort
order in some manner. However, given the structure of some reports, what may be sorted
is limited. The interface to alter the sort order can be found on the "Sort Order" tab. If
this tab is not active, then sorting is not allowed for the given report.
Criteria Set
Monitor Selection Area E
Sort Order
Report Options Retrieve Reports
Sort Order
Allowed
Range
Order Column Name Lo Hi
A.
1 PARAMETER_CODE
1
I1
2 TRIBAL_CODE
2
3
3 |STATE_CODE
2
3
4 |COUNTY_CODE
I4
8
~
5 SITEJD
I4
8
6
I4
8
¦f - J Move highlighted column up
| Move highlighted column down
The tab displays the sortable fields, the order in which the sorting will take place, and the
range of order the field may appear. In this particular example, the report must be sorted
by Parameter Code first (note the Allowed Range is 1). Next you may sort by either:
• Tribal code then State code
• State code then Tribal code
Again, note the allowed order range for these columns. To change the order, highlight
the column that you would like to change its order, and then click the "Move highlighted
column up" arrow or the "Move highlighted column down" arrow. You may not add or
remove columns to the list to be sorted. You may only change the sort order and only
within the range where the "Order" number is between the "Lo" and "Hi" values of the
"Allowed Range".
4.7.5.5 Report Options Tab
With all the reports, there are several options that may be available that will effect what
data is returned to the user. The report options may be placed into one of three
categories:
• Single value report options (See Figure 4-8) - For a given option category, the
user may select one of a known list of options. All available options appear in the
drop-down listing for the option.
• Alternate standards report option (See Figure 4-8) - User may specify the values
at which a given value will be marked as exceeding a given limit. In order to use
this option, the data must be returned in Standard Units. These alternate limits
will only be applied where the data being retrieved matches a given parameter and
duration. The user must specify a parameter, duration, and any of the following:
o Primary Value
o Secondary Value
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o Primary and Secondary Value
Multiple value report options (See Figure 4-8) - For a given option category, the
user may select none, one, or multiple choices from the known list of options.
Selections are made by checking the box to the right of the option. A checked
box indicates that the option will be applied to the report. The user may also
utilize the "Check All" and "Uncheck All" buttons to expedite selecting multiple
columns.
Standard Report Criteria Selection (Read Only) AMP35Q Tribal Mode
Criteria Set
Monitor Selection \rea Selection
Sort Order
Report Options | Retrieve Reports
INCLUDE NULLS
DAILY STATISTICS
UNITS
RAW DATA EVENTS
MERGE PDF FILES
|yes
(maximum
(standard
|lNCLUDE EVENTS
[no"
'M
"J
"J
Single Value Report Options
ALTERNATE STANDARDS
Parameter Duration Primary Std Secondary Std
Alternate Standards Report Option
Generate Report
Figure 4-8 - Single Value & Alternate Standards Report Options
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SP Standard Report Criteria Selection (Read Only) AMP500 Tribal Mode
Criteria Set | Monitor Selection | Area Selection | Sort Order j Report Options || Retrieve Reports |
ACTION INDICATOR
MERGE PDF FILES
Multiple Value Report Options
SITE MONITOR TRANSACTIONS
TANGENT STREETS
OPEN PATHS
MONITOR BASIC
MONITOR SAMPLE PERIODS
MONITOR TYPES
MONITOR AGENCY ROLES
MONITOR OBJECTIVES
MONITOR SAMPLING SCHEDULES
MONITOR STREET INFORMATION
PROBE OBSTRUCTIONS
MONITOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCES
MONITOR COLLOCATION PERIODS
MONITOR PROTOCOLS
Check All
Uncheck All
EZIHll
"i?
"f
f
f
F
F
F
"F
F
F
F
"F
F
F
T
Generate Report
Figure 4-9 - Multiple Value Report Options
4.7.5.5.1 Merge PDF Files Option
A common report option is one labeled "MERGE PDF FILES". It lists either "YES" or
"NO" as the available option values. If this option equals "YES", the report program will
merge the results of the cover sheet with the output of the formatted PDF report. This
option will only be implemented if ALL of the following conditions are true:
1. The "MERGE PDF FILES" option = "YES"
2. The user has selected a "REPORT" type of output from the "Criteria Set" tab
3. The format of the "REPORT" output on the "Criteria Set" tab is set to "PDF"
The option screen does not validate that the combination of these elements before
executing.
4.7.5.5.2 Exceptional Event Processing
Several reports have an option of how to handle exceptional event processing. This
option will primarily affect summary types of reports. When data is submitted to AQS,
the submitting agency may flag the data as being effected by either natural events or
man-made exceptional events that have influenced the level of the sample. These flags
are eventually concurred or not concurred by the local EPA authority as to whether this is
an approvable event.
When AQS summarizes the data, it is summarized multiple times if the dataset contains
any of these natural or exceptional events. The following summaries are computed:
• Include all data whether or not they contain events
• Exclude all events
• Exclude just the exceptional events
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• Exclude just the natural events
• Exclude any events with EPA Regional concurrence
• Exclude just the exceptional events with EPA Regional concurrence
• Exclude just the natural events with EPA Regional concurrence
4.7.6 Saving Criteria Sets
Once you have successfully created a criteria set, you may save it to be executed again at
a later time. To save a criteria set, first go to the "Criteria Set" tab (See section 2 of
Figure 4-4). Enter the following information:
• Criteria Set Name: A unique name to identify the criteria set
• Criteria Set Description: A brief description of the criteria set
• Owner: This will be your name and filled out automatically
• Type: You can either define the criteria set as "Private" (default) or "Public"
o Private: This option means that only you may access and update this
criteria set
o Public: This option allows any other user to access and update the criteria
set
Once you have filled out the appropriate information, click on the "Save" icon in the
upper left-hand corner of the form.
If you have successfully completed these steps, you will receive the following dialog box:
ICriteria Set
H
Qp -20054: Your i
Criteria
i OK j
Set has been saved.
h
4.7.6.1 Using Saved Criteria Sets
After entering the Standard Reports form (See section 2.2.2 for information on how to
enter the R31 form), you may recall any previously saved criteria sets. You will be able
to see any criteria set that you have saved as well as any other criteria set saved by others
labeled "Public".
To see all the criteria sets you have in your private account, select "Private" from the
"Type" field and click on the "Criteria Set" drop-down list. To see the criteria sets
available in the "Public" area, choose "Public" from the "Type" field and click on the
"Criteria Set" drop-down list.
The report that the criteria set was originally run with is returned. Any selections made
on the Monitor / Area Selection tab, Sort Orders, and Report Options are also returned.
However, the elements under the outputs are always reset to the default values for the
report (see section "3" of Figure 4-4). Once the information has been loaded into the
form, the report may be immediately generated or you may make any changes.
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4.7.6.2 Deleting Saved Criteria Sets
You have the ability to delete previously saved criteria sets that you no longer need or
want in your list of saved criteria set. Since these saved criteria sets are saved within the
database, they are treated like any other record in the database. The method of deleting
them is:
1. Query the Criteria Set into the form.
2. Delete the record using either the form icon or the menu selections.
4.7.6.3 Query the Criteria Set into the Form
To see all the criteria sets you have in your private account, select "Private" from the
"Type" field and click on the "Criteria Set" drop-down list. To see the criteria sets
available in the "Public" area, choose "Public" from the "Type" field and click on the
"Criteria Set" drop-down list. You may delete only "Public" criteria sets that you have
saved.
4.7.6.4 Delete the Criteria Set
Once the criteria set have been queried, you may delete the record by any of the
following methods:
y
1. Click on the "Remove Record" icon
2. Select "Action" -> "Record" "Remove" from the menus.
3. Press the "Shift" key and the "F6" key simultaneously.
Please note that once the record is deleted, the action is automatically committed and
cannot be un-done.
4.7.7 Generate Report
At the bottom of each tab of the R31 form is the "Generate Report" button. Once this
button is pressed, the report takes the information from the tabs of the R31 form and uses
it to generate the report. If the "Send via Email" or "Send to CDX" options were selected
from the "Criteria Set" tab, the report runs in the background. When complete, the report
will be delivered by the selected mechanism. If the "Run Online" option was selected
from the "Criteria Set" tab, then a progress dialog box appears to let the user know the
progress of the report. When complete, the progress dialog box will disappear and the
report output will be delivered to the user on the screen. The "Generate Report" may be
pressed at any point during the selection criteria process. Prior to submitting the report,
the R31 form will check to ensure that all required information has been provided. If it
has not, the user will be shown the part of the form in error and provided with a message
to indicate what additional information is needed.
..Gsnerate.RefiQ.rt
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4.7.7.1 Report Progress Dialog Box
Ell Report Progress
EInIE
Report Progress
100 Percent Complete
Report Stage Report Pre-Selection
Refresh
Cancel Report
Exit Report j^ogress
The Report Progress dialog box provides the user with the following information:
• The current stage of the report. When a report is being generated, it will undergo
a series of different steps. While not all reports take the same steps in generating
a report, the final stage of the report generation process is the "Generating
Output" stage.
• The percent completeness of the particular stage. This provides an estimate of the
amount of progress made from the particular stage. It is not an overall percentage
to generate the entire report. This percent completeness applies only to the
current stage.
• The information on the dialog box automatically refreshes every 15 seconds. If
you would like the information to refresh before the next 15 second interval, press
the "Refresh" button and the information will be updated.
• The "Cancel Report" button will tell the report generator to cancel the currently
running report. The cancellation is not immediate. A message must be sent to the
report server, and the dialog will wait until it receives a response that the report
has been cancelled.
• The "Exit Report Progress" button will not cancel the report, but it will take it out
of the "Run Online" mode. In order to see the results of the report, the user will
have to manually check the progress of the report through the "Retrieve Reports"
tab (See section 4.2).
4.7.8 Retrieving Previously Executed Reports
You may also obtain the results of a previously run report by clicking on the "Retrieve
Reports" tab from the R31 form (See Figure 8 below).
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gs Standard Report Criteria Selection (Read Only) Tribal Mode
uriteria Set
| Report Options Retrieve Reports
JNZ
AMP450
Report
05/27/2005 01:28 PI
Completed
100
I JNZ
AMP350
report
05/27/2005 12:43 PI
ICancelled
100
I JNZ
|AMP350
Ireport
I05/27/2005 12:42 PI
I JNZ
|AMP230
report
05/25/2005 02:09 PI
ICompleted
|100
| JNZ
AMP450NC
Ireport
05/24/2005 03:12 PI
Completed
100
I JNZ
AMP450NC
report
105/24/2005 03:08 PI
ICompleted
100
I JNZ
AMP500
REPORT
05/20/2005 08:54 At
ICompleted
100
JNZ
IAMP350
Ibatch
105/13/2005 09:47 At
Cancelled
1100
JNZ
IAMP410
Ireport
105/13/2005 09:45 At
ICancelled
Moo
r
r
r
r
i
r
r
r
i
r
r
r
r
i
i
i
i
r
r
r
i
Retrieve Report Refresh Query
Cancel Report Delete Report
Figure 4-10 - Retrieve Reports Tab
The "Retrieve Reports" tab shows the status of any report that you have run in the last 15
calendar days. It shows the following information:
• Who ran the report (will always be your user ID
• What report was run
• How they requested the report (Online or Batch)
• The date the report request was made
• The stage of the report
• Percent completeness of the stage
4.7.8.1 Retrieve Report Button
The "Retrieve Report" button on the "Retrieve Reports" tab (see Figure 4-10) will obtain
the results of a completed report for the row that is highlighted on the form. The button
will only work successfully if the Stage is "Completed" and the "% Complete" column =
100. Keep in mind that this function returns the results of the report at the time it was
originally run. It does not re-execute the query. So any updates to the data that have
been made from the time the report was originally run will not be reflected in the
retrieved report.
4.7.8.2 Refresh Query Button
The "Refresh Query" button updates the "Stage" and "% Complete" columns for the
reports that you have supplied. The results are refreshed each time you reopen the
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"Retrieve Reports" tab, but if you want to see the status as it stands at this moment, press
this button
4.7.8.3 Cancel Report
The "Cancel Report" is used when you would like to cancel a report that you are running
in the background. It will not delete the report from the list of reports. It only changes
the status of the highlighted row to "Cancelled".
4.7.8.4 Delete Report
The "Delete Report" is used when you would like to remove a report from the list of
reports run in the last 15 days. It will not cancel the report. It only removes the
highlighted row from the list of reports for the user.
4.8 Maintenance - Reviewing, Editing, and
Creating Data
The Maintenance function allows you to browse and edit the
data on-line. The Maintain function uses the standard Oracle
query icons and principals to view the data. However, not all
of the functions are available all of the time. Maintain is one
of the menu functions that will actually change the menu
structure. When you click on "Maintenance", you will need
to choose what kind of data you would like to see (see the menu sample above). Once
you choose the type of data, the menu bar will change to the following:
Action Help Site Monitor Audit Event SamPle Values PRecision Accuracy Blanks summary Concurrence Ind Ma|n Menu
So the items that now appear on the list are nearly the same as the displayed list from the
main menu. It is just a quick way to get to the other types of data that are available.
4.8.1 Working as "Read Only" vs. with a "Screening Group"
How "Maintain" will work for you depends greatly on how you established your session
when you signed on to AQS.
• Read Only User - This will allow you to view any data in AQS that is classified
as "Production Ready". You will not be allowed to change any of the data that
you see (even if it is your own).
• Screening Group Access - This mode will allow you to query, view, and edit
only the data that you own for the screening group that you selected. However,
you will get to see any of the data that you own ("Production" and "Pre-
Production data).
So the question becomes, "what do you want to see?", or "what do you want to do with
the data?"
9 Critical Rev CErtification Batch
Site
Monitor
Audit
Event
I SamPle Values A
Raw Data
PRecision
Composite Data
Accuracy
Delete Preproduction Data
j Bjanks
summary
Concurrence Ind
Main Menu
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4.8,2 Types of Data Available
4.8.2.1 Site Information
Site information contains all of the
data that pertains to where a
monitoring site is located. You will
notice that there are multiple tabs
that may be selected. Each of the
tabs will show you additional
information for the site that is
displayed on the "Basic Site Data"
tab. You will notice in the lower
right corner the "Create Monitor" button. It is grayed out in this example because we are
in "Read Only" mode and cannot alter information in the database. However, if we did
just create a site on-line, you could press this button to begin the process of creating a
monitor for the site.
4.8.2.2 Monitor Information
The Monitor form provides
information about the configuration
of a monitor at a site. As with the
site form, the monitor form has
multiple tabs associated with it; each
containing additional information
about the monitor that is on the
"Monitor Basic" tab. In fact, there
are so many additional tabs,
sometimes the labels get cut off. To
see the name of the label on a tab,
just place your mouse pointer over the tab and the name will appear (see the "Sample
P..tab with the "Sample Periods" text as an example).
4.8.2.3 Raw Data
As mentioned far too many times
within this guide, there is more raw
data in the system than any other type
of data. In fact, 99.98% of all the
data in AQS is raw data. These are
the hour-by-hour measurements
obtained from the monitoring
stations. As you can see, every data
point has information about the
instrumentation used to collect the
data, any qualifiers associated with a data point and any comments submitted by the user.
Due to the number of records in the table, it is a very good idea to be as specific as
possible when constructing your query.
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4.8.2.4 Precision Data
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4.8.2.5 Accuracy Data
Maintain Accuracy Data (Read Only) Tribal Mode
Parameter POC
County Site
II | |53* j [039 | |0003 ,| |44201 _
[AUDIT AND CERT BY RO
Local Pri Std
(PHOTOMETER (VERIFIED)
Auc Audit Class
[analytical J
Audit Sample Id
'a i
Year
|2005
Audit Scheduled Zero Span Value
Qtr Accuracy Type
F ~M
Monitor Protocol
Audit Id
Previous 11 | Next
,evel Humbe< Actual Value Indicated Value
Precision data reflects the results of the
required precision audits from the air
monitoring program. These are the
individual audit results. There are other
areas and reports within AQS which take
these individual audit results and
summarize them on a per site and per
PQAO (Primary Quality Assurance
Organization) basis.
Accuracy data reflects the results of
the required precision audits from
the air monitoring program. These
are the individual audit results.
There are other areas and reports
within AQS which take these
individual audit results and
summarize them on a per site and per
PQAO (Primary Quality Assurance
Organization) basis.
4.8.2.6 Blanks
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Blanks data are used to detect any
contamination which a monitoring
filter may have encountered prior to
being inserted into the instrument.
There are no reports or summaries of
the blanks data, so if you want to see
it, this may be your only method of
obtaining this data. You may notice
that the format of this data is very
similar to the raw data form.
4.8.2.7 Summary
Although you can, technically, report the annual summary data to AQS, most users
submit the raw data and let AQS perform the calculations to create the annual summary
data. All pollutants have similar statistics including the number of observations, average,
minimum value, and top 10 maximum values. If there the regulations specify a special
statistic to be calculated for a particular pollutant, it will also appear in this table.
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4.8.2.8 Audit
Audits (Read Only) Tribal Mode
-
I
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The "Audit" table contains data about
technical system audits and any of
the findings that an auditor may have
found. You need special permission
to enter this kind of information, but
anyone should be able to get
information on an audit that has been
performed.
4.8.2.9 Event
The Event module is not available to most users. So if you do try to access it, you will
very likely get the following message:
Application Security Error
\E\
©
Error: You are riot authorized to access this module.
OK
4.8.3 Executing a Query
The premise of all the forms in the database is that you want to get all of the information
possible. However, keep in mind that AQS is HUGE! So you actually want to be as
specific as possible when querying the data. All of the forms work essentially the same
way. The only difference is that the number of fields that you can filter by changes. The
data is returned to you in descending date order (the most recent data is shown at the
beginning of the list). So we will take an example of one of the more comprehensive
forms and you can apply the same principals to the other forms.
STEP 1: Let the system know you want to enter a query
When you first enter a form, you are automatically in "Enter Query" mode. You
Enter a query; press
Enter-Query
|to cancel.
Record: 1/1
Enter-Qu...
List ofValu...
You may also invoke the "Enter Query" mode by pressing the "Enter Query" icon
(%J) or pressing "F7".
STEP 2: Enter the filter criteria
In general, you can specify any of the fields that appear in the top block of the
form, but not in any of the fields on the lower blocks of a form. If a form has
multiple rows and no top block (like the "Audit" form), then you can specify the
filters in the first row of the form.
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h a n ^ ?
Raw Data | Comments
^5T*1
Tribal Code State County Site Parameter POC E
J |37~ 1 |063 | [~ )88101 | | J20060101
^epo3ec^^^3anc!arc^TPT
ec^^^Sanc!arc^TP^^3lonE
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AQS Fundamentals
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4.9.1.1 Pipe-Delimited Text Format
Using the pipe-delimited format is by far the most common method of setting up the data
for batch processing. Processing the data in this manner makes the following
assumptions:
1. Each type of data will have its own format. To date, there are 20 different types
of data in AQS (Not coincidently, there are 24 different types of forms on the
Maintenance screens... one for each type of data - Not quite a 1-to-l mapping, but
close!).
2. The type of data that you are working with is specified in the first field
3. You tell AQS that you are done with the field by placing a pipe ("|") symbol
between the fields
The formats for each of the record types can be found at the following web address:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/manuals/AQS Input Transaction Formats.pdf. In
fact, if you don't have a copy of this sitting at your desk, you should probably get one
before we do the example. Are you ready for an example? Me too... Let's say that
you know the following information about a raw data point that you want to enter into
AQS:
• AQS Site ID: 01-001-9999
• Pollutant Measured: Ozone
• POC (assigned as part of the monitor ID): 1
• Does this value already exist in the system? NO
• How long did it take to form the sample (the duration): 1 hour
• What kind of instrument was used? Dasibi 1008-AH
• When was the sample collected? June 10, 2006
• What time did the sample begin (local standard time): 1:00 PM
• Sample Concentration: 0.050 parts per million
• Any other qualifiers that you want to apply to the data? No
• Would you like to specify an alternate Minimum Detection Limit for this
sampler? NO
• Would you like to specify an uncertainty value with this sample? NO
OK... The resulting transaction would look like this:
RD|I|01|0 01|9999|4 4 2 01|1|1|007|056|20060610|13:00 | 0.050| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Looking at it field-by-field, here's what we have:
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Data Type: "RD" means
"Raw Data"
State Code, County Code, &
Site ID Makes up the AQS
Site ID
POC Code
Unit Code: "007" =
Parts per Million
Date: YYYYMMDD Format
Sample
Value
Collection Frequency
(Used primary for
pm10 & pm2i5) r^lt MDL Va)ue
Up to 10
Qualifiers Can
be Specified
RD|I|01|001|9999|44201|1|1|007|056|20060610|13:00|0.050 | | I | I
I I
Method Code: "056"
= Dasibi 1008-AH
Sample Duration:
"1" = 1 Hour
Pollutant Code:
"44201" = Ozone
Action: "I" means INSERT
Uncertainty Value
MP ID (alternate way to
specify method - unit -
duration - Coll. Freq
Information)
Null Data Code (Why
data wasn't Collected)
Time: HH:MM
Format: "HH" is a 24-
hour clock
So where did I get all of these codes? Some, you can find within the application (like the
pollutant, method, unit, and duration codes). Others can be found on the AQS page of the
TTN
4.9.1.2 XML Format
XML stands for "Extensible Markup Language". It provides a structure defined by an
XML Schema in order to allow other programs to do something with the data. All values
for fields are enclosed within tags that look like HTML tags. In this particular case, the
XML Schema tells AQS how to load data into the database. If you look at Figure 4-11,
you can see the hierarchical structure of the AQS XML schema.
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AQS Fundamentals
AQS Application
• Would you like to specify an alternate Minimum Detection Limit for this
sampler? NO
• Would you like to specify an uncertainty value with this sample? NO
And here is what this information would look like in the AQS XML format:
01
< Cou ntyCode > 001 < /Cou ntyCode >
9999
44201
l
l
059
007
20060610
13:00
0.050
You might notice a couple of things. For starters, this format takes a lot more characters
to convey the information for a single record. However, over time, you really start saving
space because you don't have to repeat things (like the "SiteldentifierDetails) until the
values change (you move on to the next site for example. The other thing that you might
notice is that the file is self-documenting. I don't need to tell you what each field means
because the enclosing tags tell you what that value represents.
The overall moral to the story is that it doesn't really matter which format you use. They
both do the job they are should do; they tell AQS about their data and provide
instructions as to what to do.
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CDX
Staging
Tables
lOnline
4.9.2 About the Batch
Process
Now we know that AQS needs to
know about the data that you have and
what do with that data. You do that by
formatting the data in a way that AQS
can recognize. So you have a file
sitting on your PC at your office with
lots and lots of data collected from
your monitoring sites. What do you
do now? That is where the diagram to
the left comes into play. This provides
a picture of how to process your data
through the system. Each of the
square boxes represents a process that
you can initiate through the "Batch"
menu item within the AQS
application. Each of the light blue
objects (| ^J) represent a report that
you can request through the batch
screen as well. The red rounded-
square objects represents other
processes in the application which
we've already covered.
There are a few things worth noting in
this diagram:
• Although there are three
processes listed (Load, Stat /
CR, and Post), only raw data
types of data need the Stat / CR
and Post steps. All other data
types go straight into
"Production" status.
• The Raw data can have up to 3
different statuses, depending
where in the process it is:
o R = Loaded
successfully
o S = Passed statistical
evaluation
o P = Production status.
This means that the
data is accessible to be
read by anyone in the system.
• If data is identified as having errors, the records are sent to the "Staging Tables"
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In order to load data into the database through the batch process, you have to have access
to a screening group and you have to have "Update" authority within that screening
group. If both of these are not met, then you will get the following error message when
you click on the "Batch" menu item:
Application Security Error
©
No need to panic! Just go back to
Error: You are not authorized to access this module. "Sessions" and select a screening group for
which you have update authority and try
again.
OK
Once you have successfully selected a screening group and select the "Batch" button, you
will be brought to the Batch form.
IjyBatch Process (Improve) Tribal Mode
Files from CDX ready to Load:
File Date
Jj
|
¦
1
1
1
1
Session Date Oracle User Id Session Status Job Type File Name
i 112006100214:49 |jNZ
|COMPLETED |FILE
WYImprovellpdate .txt
Batch Jobs
CDX
uasM
Submit Correct Data
J _
Stats CR
Post
Batch Reports
EditjLoad Summary
Edit Error Details
i j egm
II 1
Siiii Eviiluiiiion
J E
Cancel Session
Figure 4-12
This form is broken down into 3 basic areas (working from top to bottom):
1) List of the files that you have transferred to CDX
2) List of processes that have been performed within this screening group
recently (within the last 2 weeks)
3) The buttons that activate either a process or starts a report
Since the other two sections are populated by using the buttons in the "Available
Actions" section of the form, it is probably a good idea to review what the different
functions are:
• CDX: Clicking this button will send you to the CDX Home Page
(remember it is a different application). Once you transfer the file
from your PC via CDX (see Section 3 if you have questions on
how to do this), you will see the file appear in the "List of Files
Available from CDX" portion of the form.
• Load File: The Load File process will attempt to enter the records in the
file to the AQS Database. The data is verified that it meets all the
business rules necessary. If at least one error in the file is found,
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the row with a "Job Type" of "FILE" in the "List of Processes
Recently Performed" will have a session status of "ERROR".
Additionally, the records with errors are copied to the appropriate
"Staging Table", where you will be able to make modification to
the record through the "Correct" process. If no errors are found,
the row in the "List of Processes Recently Performed" will have a
session status of "COMPLETED". Also, the data is entered into
the appropriate AQS Database table. If this is Raw Data ("RC" or
"RD" transactions), then the data is entered with a status of "R"
meaning that it has passed all of the database rules but still needs
to be verified through other processes. All other data types are
entered with a "P" status ("P" status means "Production Ready").
Submit Correct Data: This process load data from the "Staging Tables"
rather than from a file you transfer from CDX. All the other
information mentioned in the "Load" function is identical for this
function except that the data comes from a different source.
Stat / CR: This process will perform a statistical (the "Stat" part of the
name) and identify any data anomalies that fail a "Critical Review"
(the "CR" part of the name) analysis on all the data that is trying to
be processed in the system. In this step, the status of the data is
changed from "R" to "S" meaning that the data has been subjected
to statistical evaluation. This process only applies to Raw Data.
Post: This process will change the raw data in the database for the
screening group from a status of "S" to "P". When you press the
"Post" button, you will be taken to a screen that looks like this:
^Review Statistical Data (Improve) Tribal Mode
Raw Overview | Raw Data |
Year - Quarter CR Exists
17-019-9000-85101 -1
17-019-9000-85101 -1
17-019-9000-85101 -1
17-019-9000-85101 -1
17-019-9000-88111-1
17-019-9000-88111 -1
17-019-9000-88111-1
17-019-9000-88111 -1
36-109-9000-88403-1
36-109-9000-88403-1
36-109-9000-88403-1
36-109-9000-88403-1
|2002-1
|2002-2
2002-3
|2002-4
2002-1
|2002-2
|2002-3
2002-4
|2002-1
|2002-2
|2002-3
[2002-4
Post Data to Production
Return to Batch Processing
Action Std Samp
Ind Value
sF
Samp
Begin Date
CcmpSamp Revie¥fr&aw Da,a
Value Date Desc
Total Gap
If
Statistical Data
Value Above Gap Num Below Gap Error Date Statistical Error
The intent is to provide the user with one last change to approve or
to not approve making this data available to the entire user
community. So if you press the "Post Data to Production" button
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at this point, the job is submitted. This process only applies to
Raw Data.
• Edit Load Summary: This process will produce a report that describes
how many records were successfully processed by a LOAD job. You can
only perform this function for "FILE" job types.
• Edit Error Details: This process will produce a report that will list all
errors found by the loading of the data. You can only perform this
function for "FILE" job types.
• Scan Report: This process will produce statistics about data that you are
trying to make production. You can only perform this function for
"STATCR" job types. This process only applies to Raw Data.
• Stat Evaluation: This process will produce a report about any statistical
errors found during the "Stats CR" Job. You can only perform this
function for "STATCR" job types. This process only applies to Raw Data.
• Raw Data Inventory: This process will produce a report with the number
of data points that were processed during a POST process. You can only
perform this function for "POST" job types. This process only applies to
Raw Data.
4.9.3 Batch - When Things Go Right
In a perfect world, none of the records in your files will have errors when you process it.
If this is true, then things go very smoothly with the batch process. If you follow along
with the flow chart at the beginning of this section, you can see what I mean. We will
take two scenarios: First we'll look at the easiest case where the file contains no raw data
(it has all precision and accuracy audits for example. Then we will look at what happens
in a "best case" scenario for when a file does have raw data.
4.9.3.1 Clean File Without Raw Data
• Click on the CDX button
• Transfer your file
• Close CDX - This should leave you with the AQS Application open
• Click on the "Refresh" button
• Click on the "Load File" button. You will be told the job was submitted and a
session record will appear with a "Job Type" of "FILE" and a "Session Status" of
"ACTIVE"
• Wait for "Session Status" of the session record to change to "COMPLETED"
4.9.3.2 Clean File With Raw Data
• Click on the CDX button
• Transfer your file
• Close CDX - This should leave you with the AQS Application open
• Click on the "Refresh" button
• Click on the "Load File" button. You will be told the job was submitted and a
session record will appear with a "Job Type" of "FILE" and a "Session Status" of
"ACTIVE"
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• Wait for "Session Status" of the session record to change to "COMPLETED"
• Click on the "Stat / CR" button. A session record will be created with a "Job
Type" of "STATCR" and a "Session Status" of "ACTIVE"
• Although it isn't required, it is a good idea to review the reports of the
information generated by the "Stat / CR" analysis. So click on the "Scan" and / or
"Stat Evaluation" buttons to generate the reports.
• Wait for "Session Status" of the session record to change to "COMPLETED"
• Click on the "POST" button. You will be taken to a screen with all the monitor-
month's data displayed.
• Click on the ""Post Data to Production" button. A message will appear saying the
job was submitted
• Click on the "Return to Batch Processing" button. A session record will be
created with a "Job Type" of "POST" and a "Session Status" of "ACTIVE"
• Wait for "Session Status" of the session record to change to "COMPLETED"
4.9.4 Batch - When Things Go Wrong
Well, the world isn't perfect. You will very likely
have some errors in your files. It is estimated that
33% of all the files submitted to AQS have some
error associated with it. So it would be good to
know what to do when this happens, eh?!? Again,
refer to the flow diagram at the beginning of this
session. Many of the steps that are performed are
identical when things go wrong. The biggest
difference is that if there are errors, the records are
placed in staging tables until the errors are fixed.
There are 20 different types of staging tables; one
for each type of transaction available in the system.
You use the CORRECT function to correct the
errors in the staging tables. Once you have
changed the records in CORRECT, you then try to
load them again by pressing the "Submit Correct Data" button. This tells the system to
load the data from the staging tables rather than from a file. Just like when loading from
a file, the system will test the records against all of the rules in the AQS database. If they
pass all the checks, they are placed in their proper tables. If they don't pass, they are sent
back to the staging table to be corrected again. You continue this process until all the
errors are addressed. Once your records pass the edits, you proceed on with the process
as outlined when things go right. Now the $1,000,000 question is "How do I use
CORRECT?" Good question! Read on!
Edit/Load
Edit Error
Summary
Detail
Site Data
Monitor Data
Raw
Precision
Accuracy
Blanks
Composite
AWnual Summary
Delete by Screening Group
Version 1.0
4.10 Working with CORRECT
The Correct function is a bit of a misnomer. It doesn't actually correct
the data... you correct the data. The Correct function merely provides
a mechanism for you to edit the data in the staging tables. As
mentioned earlier, there are 20 different forms that make up the correct
function; one form for each type of data available to be submitted into
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AQS. Each form works in nearly identical ways. So we will look at one or two examples
and leave you safe in the knowledge that other forms work the same way. But before we
do that, notice that the menu bar has changed once you click on "Correct" from the main
menu:
Action Help Site Data Monitor Data Raw Precision Accuracy Blanks Composite ANnual Summary Batch Ma|n Menu
The menu had changed to give you quick access to each of the different data types
available through Correct. To get back to the main menu, click on the "Main Menu" item
(on the far right).
NOTE: Since we are working with data that you are trying to update, you will need to
select a screening group before you will be allowed to access the Correct module
Here is the Raw Data Correct form:
Correct- Raw Data (South Region, Me) Tribal Mode
r-T"
Tribal
Site Parameter
Action Session Duration Reported Method
Coll Coll I
^pt Samp
Null Data
Ci
I Ind
Code
Id Code
POC Ind Date Code Unit Code
Date Time
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That is where some of the other tools available to Correct come into play. All of the tools
that are mentioned in section 4.3.3.4 (Oracle Form Functions - Record) work exactly the
same here. There is one function that is unique to Correct: Search & Replace.
4.10.1 Search and Replace
We have all used a "Search and Replace" function (we'll call it "S&R" for short) in a
word processor or spreadsheet, right? You look for some text and you want to replace it
with some other text. Well, the S&R in Correct works a little differently. For this
program, S&R will change any value that currently exists in a column to the specified
value. So the proper way to do a search and replace is as follows:
• Query in records that have a value that you would like to replace
• Place your cursor on the
column where you would
like to replace the value
• Click on the S&R Icon
• Fill out the "New Value"
field to be the "Replace"
value
Although the form will show you the "Current Value" on the form, it will actually change
the value of any record currently queried into the form.
4.10.2 Delete All Selected
Another button that appears below the records in the given staging table is the "Delete
All Selected" button. This button will delete all records currently queried into the form.
This is a great way to get rid of records that you no longer want rather than deleting them
one at a time using the buttons.
4.10.3 Delete by Screening Group
The last item on the Correct menu is "Delete by Screening Group". Let's say that things
have just turned into a complete mess and you just want to start over. That is where this
function comes into play. It will delete any record that your screening group owns in any
of the staging tables. Keep in mind that it will only delete items in the staging tables. It
will not delete data that may be "pre-production" in the database tables. Only one person
per screening group has the authority to use this function, so you may or may not have
this option available to you.
Ji^Search and Replace
Replace Item R AW_D AT A .ST ATE_CODE
Current Value [23
New Value f
Replace All
Replace
Cancel
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Appendix B - AQS Batch Input Transaction Formats
AQS Application
5 Appendix A - Initial AQS Setup
This section provides instructions on the one-time setup that is required on each computer
that will interface with AQS. There are two (2) pieces that you will need to install:
Oracle JInitiator and the JavaBean Certificate.
5.1 Oracle JInitiator
To begin setup, click the following URL Link:
https://iasint.rtpnc.epa.gov/forms90/f90servlet?config=aqs&forrn=A000.fmx
Clicking this link will download approximately 10MB of software, so it may take a few
minutes depending on your connection speed.
If prompted, click "Accept" or "Next" to download this plug-in and follow the default
installation to install it in the following directory:
C:\Program Files\Oracle\JInitiator 1.3.1.18.
If the JInitiator 1.3.1.18 does not install and you have not installed it previously, then you
probably need your network administrator to install new software for you. Do not
proceed until the new JInitiator is installed. Also have your network administrator do
step 2 below as well.
AQS will attempt to start but will fail, probably with a java error message something like
this:
Java. long. ClassNotFoundException: oracle.forms. engine.Main
Wait for the error message, then close that window and go back to this page.
5.2 JavaBean Certificate
This step updates the security certificate on your PC.
EEfl
1) Right click on run me after iinit install.txt file 1(35KB dated 1 Mar 06) and
save it to your desktop ("Save Target As" if you are using Internet Explorer).
2) Right click the icon on your desktop for this file and rename it to
run_me_afterjinit_install.&fl* to continue with this setup.
3) Run (i.e., double click) run_me_after_jinit_install.bat on your desktop and
accept the default file location. (You may see a window with text scrolling by
quickly, then that window will close.)
4) Close your browser and restart it before accessing AQS.
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AQS Fundamentals
AQS Application
5) Navigate to http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/ and select AQS Web from the
sidebar — or — go directly to
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/aqsweb/aqswebwarning.htm and click the link
dated 3-Mar-06 "I agree to these terms and want to enter the AQS application."
(You may want to bookmark that address.)
5.3 CDX Registration
New users need to register on CDX using the registration key you received in an email.
Use this link to access CDX Registration. If you are asked to choose a role during the
registration process, select the role of "submitter".
Once you have completed the CDX registration, close your browser and reopen it before
attempting to use AOS and CDX.
If you need assistance accessing any of the material in AQS, User Support is provided
through the Customer Call Center. The toll free number is 866-411-4EPA (866-411-
4372). Please contact them first with any questions about using the AQS application.
Version 1.0
5-2
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