PHILADELPHIA—Today, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health unveiled Breathe Philly, a first-in-the-nation network of 76 ground-level air quality sensors that will measure and share real-time air quality data to residents in every neighborhood of Philadelphia. With this launch, every Philadelphian now lives within 1.5 miles of an air quality monitor, a major step forward in the City’s ability to research neighborhood-level trends, respond to specific air quality concerns, and develop evidence-based regulations to continue decades of progress in air quality. The expanded network will strengthen the City’s ability to identify localized pollution patterns, inform enforcement actions, and shape evidence-based environmental policies.

Residents can view data from the sensor nearest to their location or from any sensor across the city on the Breathe Philly dashboard, which can be found at www.phila.gov/breathephilly. All sensors measure two common air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). The Health Department continues to invest in this network, allowing some sensors to also measure ozone (O₃) as soon as this spring. The dashboard also displays additional data, trends over time, and links to additional resources.

“Clean air is fundamental to public health and our vision for a cleaner and greener Philadelphia,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “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.”

Exposure to air pollution can contribute to asthma, respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health conditions. It also affects climate and local ecosystems. Outdoor air pollution comes from many sources, including industry, motor vehicles and forest fires. While air quality in Philadelphia remains good on most days, weather patterns, fires, and other events can cause air quality to change. Breathe Philly empowers residents to check air quality near the places where they live, work, and play, anytime. If air quality is poor, residents can receive alerts and view health recommendations on the dashboard.

“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,” said Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Public Health. “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.”

Residents can access the Breathe Philly dashboard at www.phila.gov/breathephilly to:

• View air quality near their home, school, or workplace.
• Sign up for alerts when conditions change.
• Review health guidance during poor air quality days.

For more information about air quality and air quality regulations in Philadelphia, visit the Air Management Services website.