Air Monitoring
Monitoring for Pesticides in the Air
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) monitors for pesticides in the air as part of its continuous evaluation of pesticides. Our Air Monitoring Network has been in operation since 2011 to conduct long-term, multi-year air monitoring studies. Our air monitoring network stations monitor for 40 pesticides and their breakdown products in ambient air.
Along with the California Air Resource Board, or the California Department of Food and Agriculture, we analyze the data collected. This information is part of our evaluation of a pesticide’s risks and impacts before and after a pesticide is registered for use in California to evaluate and improve protective measures for people and the environment.
Air Monitoring Locations
We operate four monitoring stations in the following California communities:
- Oxnard (Ventura County)
- Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County)
- Shafter (Kern County)
- Watsonville (Santa Cruz County)
We selected these communities due to their proximity to high agricultural use of pesticides, based on Pesticide Use Reports.
In addition to the four monitoring stations, we also operate stations specifically to monitor 1,3-D in the following communities:
- Delhi (Merced County)
- Parlier (Fresno County)
In the resource below, find the overview of how air monitoring site locations were selected.
Air Monitoring Reports
To view the current draft or final Air Monitoring Reports, please visit our Reports Directory.
We post a draft Air Monitoring Network report to provide an opportunity for public comment. To view current public comment opportunities, please visit our public comment portal, SmartComment.
Pesticide Air Monitoring Results Database
We maintain a Pesticide Air Monitoring Results Database containing both preliminary and published data from pesticide air monitoring studies conducted throughout California. The resources below include the most recent annual report containing the results of samples collected from air monitoring site locations. DPR anticipates that updated data to correct for a CDFA lab error will be posted by the end of February.
Seasonal Air Monitoring Studies
In collaboration with the California Air Resources Board, we conduct seasonal ambient monitoring studies around high-use areas in close proximity to communities identified through the AB 617 process. Intensive seasonal ambient monitoring studies are normally conducted in multiple high-use communities during the high-use season for individual pesticides and can last anywhere from 4-16 weeks, depending on the study.
Seasonal ambient air monitoring studies produce data that is used to estimate concentrations associated with subchronic exposures. Data collected from these monitoring studies assists us in our assessment of the potential health risks associated with pesticide use, developing measures to mitigate risks, and measuring the effectiveness of regulatory requirements.
Find seasonal study reports on our Reports Directory.
Toxic Air Contaminant Program
California’s Toxic Air Contaminant Act created the statutory framework for the evaluation and control of chemicals as toxic air contaminants (TACs). In implementing the law, we must determine the levels of human exposure in the environment and estimate the potential human health risk from those exposures. Our evaluation report undergoes review by other government agencies, the public, and a multi-agency, scientific review panel.
Based on the evaluation, the Director of DPR determines whether the candidate is a TAC. If the Director determines the pesticide meets the criteria, we designate the pesticide a TAC in regulation and add it to the TAC list. The law also requires us to administratively designate pesticides as toxic air contaminants if they are substances listed as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) under section 7412 of Title 42 of the United States Code.
Once a pesticide is a designated TAC, it enters the control, or mitigation, phase. In the mitigation phase, we investigate the need for, and appropriate degree of, control for the TAC. If exposure should be reduced, we must develop control measures to reduce emissions to levels that adequately protect public health.
We may use other legal authority to implement control measures, particularly for pesticides that pose an immediate health threat.
1,3-Dichloropropene Field Fumigation Requirements
These resources contain the regulatory requirements and documents for TAC, 1,3-D.
SetBack Calculator and Quarterly Use Summary
The setback table is used to determine setback distances and application block sizes based on inputs of county, application rate, field fumigation method, and month of application.
Accessible PDF versions of tabs below: