Ambient air is the air that exists in the atmosphere, what we call outdoor air. It's monitored to understand if there's air quality concerns and what actions can be taken to support clean air.
Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network
There are 4 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations in Edmonton that measure air contaminants and are used to calculate the City of Edmonton’s air quality health index (AQHI). These stations are managed jointly by Alberta Environment and Parks and the Alberta Capital Airshed.
The Alberta Capital Airshed is a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization that monitors, collects and shares information on ambient air quality to the public. In conjunction with the neighbouring West Central Airshed Society and the Fort Air Partnership, the Alberta Capital Airshed helps ensure there is a full picture of air quality within Edmonton, and the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.