Inventory of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Data
Sources and Surveillance Activities

Inventory of Data Sources

Air Quality Information System (AQUIS) (Ontario)

Contacts
Melynda M. Bitzos
Coordinator, Air Quality Analysis and Reporting
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
125 Resources Road
Etobicoke, ON
M9P 3V6
Tel: (416) 235-6378
E-mail: melynda.bitzos@ene.gov.on.ca

Dan Anghel
Database Administrator
Environmental Sciences and Standards Science Division
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
[Address same as above]
Tel: (416)-235-6052
E-mail: anghelda@ene.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Sciences and Standards Science Division,
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch,
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Purpose of Database
AQUIS is a data repository, and a data management and reporting system for Ontario outdoor air quality monitoring data and HiVol sample results. The data are used to inform the public about outdoor ambient air quality; to provide smog alerts for public health protection; to assess Ontario's air quality and evaluate trends; to identify areas where criteria are exceeded and identify the origins of pollutants; to provide the basis for air policy/program development; to provide quantitative measurements to enable abatement of specific sources; to determine the significance of pollutants from U.S. sources and their effects on Ontario; and to provide air quality researchers with data linking environmental and human health effects to air quality.

Content
Data on outdoor air quality in Ontario, and meteorological data (wind speed/direction and temperature at selected sites). Data types: location-level data on concentrations of contaminants in ambient outdoor air; chemical, radiological.

Data elements: Monitoring Station: station number, region, city /town, UTM, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates; elevation above ground and above sea level; industrial/ambient; trans-boundary; urban/rural; set-up date, termination date, update date; update user; end date; end reason. Pollutant parameters: name, type, code; update date; update user; end date; end reason.

HR Curr Data: HR ID, pollutant code, monitoring station number; collection date and time; results; remarks; region ID; update user and update date. HR Pub data: HR ID, pollutant code, monitoring station number; collection date and time; results; remarks; region ID; update user and update date. Lab Cur Data: lab ID, pollutant code, monitoring station number, collection date and time; collection interval; results; remarks; region ID; status; update user and date. Lab Pub data: lab ID, pollutant code, monitoring station number; collection date and time; collection interval; results; remarks; region; update user and date. Geolocators: Longitudinal or latitudinal coordinates; UTM.

Data coding/ classification standards: MOE legacy coding is used to code data in the database.

Year Database Established
AQUIS was migrated from an IBM mainframe version in 1997, while the AQUIS legacy system was established in the 1960s.

Coverage Period
1952 to 2003

Data Updates
AQUIS is updated hourly.

Data Provider
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Data Availability
Ontario Ministry of the Environment scientists and technical staff are the main users of the data. No one else has direct access. Users must have database user ID and password to login and access the database from OPS's wide area network only. However, no protocols or guidelines are in place which restrict the use or disclosure of the data.

Reports
Air Quality in Ontario, Annual Report. Available in printed format and also accessible via the ministry web site. Reports are disseminated to the public and NGOs. Data can be exported in spreadsheet format.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of Ontario legislative acts, i.e., Ontario Environmental Protection Act (1971); Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with federal government; and scientific research protocols.

AQUIS is one of 2 databases used by Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch to manage air quality data.

Keywords for searches: Data in AQUIS can be queried by monitoring station number, pollutant code, and collection date and time.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.