- Long-Term Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Strategy ›
- Clean the Past ›
- Control the Present ›
- Introduction
- Something in the Air? ›
- Protections: Sediment ›
- Protections: Sediment Control = Contaminant Retention
- Tour: Sediment Retention
- Protection #2: Trap and Remove Sediment
- Stormwater Controls
- Stop Contaminant Movement & the Individual Permit
- View of Stormwater Monitoring Sites
- Stormwater Control Structures
- How are the aftereffects of wildfire managed?
- Las Conchas Wildfire
- Stormwater Controls after Wildfire
- Los Alamos Canyon Weir
- 10,000 Willows
- Pueblo Canyon Grade Control Structure
- Early Notification Gages
- Protections: Sampling ›
- Protection #3: Sample and Survey
- Tour: Environmental Monitoring
- Groundwater Monitoring
- How does LANL determine where to put a monitoring well?
- Protection of the Groundwater Resource
- The Location Investigation Process
- The Location Determination Process
- Monitoring Well Placement
- Contaminant Sources
- Groundwater Monitoring Network
- View of Groundwater Monitoring Sites
- Well Placement Decision Process
- Create a Sustainable Future ›
- Multimedia ›
Why does LANL sample air?
Diagram of air quality monitors within an exhaust stack. Nuclear facilities have three additional air sampling systems.
Air is the most significant pathway. Air is monitored to ensure that any possible release is quickly detected.
LANL samples and analyses air to assess effects on:
- workers
- the public
- animals and plants
How does LANL sample the air?
Stack Monitoring
Low levels of radioactive materials may be vented to the environment through a stack. Stack monitoring measures radioactive material at the source.
- 28 stacks are sampled
- Additional three sampling systems installed for nuclear facilities
AIRNET
monitors for radioactivity where people live or work
AIRNET is a radiological ambient air sampling designed to measure levels of airborne radionuclides, which may be emitted from Laboratory operations.
- Over 60 AIRNET air monitoring stations
- Monitor 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year
- Installed in Los Alamos, Santa Fe, and Rio Arriba counties
- Ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act and DOE radiological regulations