The Department of Public Health provides real-time daily updates and other resources about the air quality in Philadelphia.
The air quality readings on this page use the U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI). These categories were created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more about the AQI.
Read on for the current air quality, or jump to:
- Philadelphia Air Monitoring Network
- Response to air quality events
- Historical air pollution data
- Other air quality resources
- Related content
Current conditions in Philadelphia
AQI basics for ozone and particle pollution
Good — 0 to 50
Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Moderate — 51 to 100
Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups — 101 to 150
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
Unhealthy — 151 to 200
Some members of the general public may experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Unhealthy — 201 to 300
Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
Hazardous — 301 to 500
Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected.
Philadelphia Air Monitoring Network
The Department of Public Health operates an ambient air monitoring network across Philadelphia. Ten permanent air monitoring stations provide critical information on the quality of air in Philadelphia. A van equipped with air sensors and other technology provides air quality data in additional areas.
The objective for much of our network is to measure pollutants in areas that represent high levels of contaminants and high population exposure. Some monitoring is also done to:
- Determine the difference in pollutant levels in various parts of the City.
- Analyze long term trends.
- Help bring facilities into compliance.
- Perform real-time monitoring.
- Provide the public with information on air quality.
Air Management Services (AMS) revises its air monitoring network plan every year. The draft plan is posted each spring on the Air Management Services notices page. The public may submit comments on the plan for 30 days before it is finalized.
Air monitoring stations
The map below shows the locations of the City’s air monitoring stations for criteria pollutants. Criteria pollutants measured in these monitors are:
- Carbon monoxide (CO).
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
- Ozone.
- Particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10).
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2).
Click on a station to display the latest available hourly concentration of the specific pollutants measured there.
AMS also measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) at some stations. These data can be downloaded from the EPA.
AMS summarizes air quality monitoring data in reports and documents, including an annual report.
Response to air quality events
The Department of Public Health is working to make it easier for residents to find information about average air quality in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Learn more about the current neighborhoods of interest.
During air quality emergencies, such as large fires, or other events, AMS collects air quality data from the affected area. They use this information to assess air quality.
The AirNow Fire and Smoke Map is a valuable resource that provides real-time information on fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from wildfires and other sources.
Historical air pollution data
You can find historical air pollution data for Philadelphia and the rest of the country at Air Data: Air Quality Data Collected at Outdoor Monitors Across the United States.
Other air quality resources
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website provides an interactive map that includes a NowCast AQI value for PM2.5, PM10, and ozone at monitoring sites where those pollutants are measured.
- For more information on individual pollutants, visit Criteria Air Pollutants.
- For more information on standards for these pollutants, see the National Ambient Air Quality Standards Table.
- Learn more about Philadelphia’s most recent air monitoring network plan through the Air Management Services reports and documents.