Philadelphia launched a new tool that allows residents to monitor air quality and pollution in their neighborhoods in real time.
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Mayor Cherelle Parker and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health unveiled the “Breathe Philly” network. Officials said the city installed 76 ground-level air pollution monitors throughout Philadelphia to provide real-time information on the air quality in every neighborhood.
The network is the first of its kind in the nation. The air quality monitors are within 1.5 miles of every Philadelphia resident, allowing them to view the data from the sensor closest to their location on the Breathe Philly dashboard.
The sensors measure fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are two common air pollutants. Some of the sensors will also be able to measure ozone (O3) as soon as the spring.
“Clean air is fundamental to public health and our vision for a cleaner and greener Philadelphia,” Mayor Parker said. “Breathe Philly ensures no matter your zip code, you have access to real-time information about the air you and your family are breathing. This is about transparency, environmental justice, and giving residents the tools to protect their health. With this launch, every Philadelphian now lives within 1.5 miles of an air quality sensor, and that’s a commitment we are proud to make.”
Residents can also check the air quality in their neighborhoods here.
The announcement was made amid a Code Orange for parts of the Philadelphia region on Wednesday. A Code Orange indicates air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens.
Exposure to air pollution can cause several health conditions, including asthma and respiratory illness. Pollution also impacts climate and local ecosystems.
According to experts, outdoor pollution comes from several sources, including motor vehicles, industry and forest fires.
“Breathe Philly is the culmination of years of effort by the Health Department’s Air Management Services division to ensure high-quality, reliable, and accessible air quality data are available for all Philadelphians – in every zip code and every neighborhood,” Philadelphia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson said. “We’re excited to use the Breathe Philly network in our work to improve air quality, but we’re just as excited to see how residents use it – whether you’re a citizen scientist, the parent of a child with asthma, or just a resident enjoying the outdoors.”