Philadelphia Launches Breathe Philly Real-Time Air Quality Network

The City of Philadelphia introduced a new air quality monitoring network on February 18, 2026, aiming to provide residents with real-time information about local pollution levels. The launch coincided with a regional Code Orange air quality alert.

Mayor Cherelle Parker and other city officials presented the Breathe Philly system, which consists of 76 ground-level monitors distributed throughout all city districts. The system is designed to measure particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on an hourly basis, offering up-to-date data for public use.

According to the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the sensors are solar-powered, connected via cellular networks, and built to withstand weather conditions. The technology used, Clarity Node, marks the first time this type of sensor network has been implemented in a U.S. city.

The Breathe Philly network ensures that every resident lives within approximately 1.5 miles of an air quality sensor. This setup allows for more localized monitoring compared to previous systems, which included only 10 regulatory stations and mobile monitors operated by the Health Department’s Air Management Services division.

What the numbers show

• Launch date: February 18, 2026
• Number of sensors: 76 ground-level monitors
• Coverage: Each resident within about 1.5 miles of a sensor

Data collected by the sensors is made available to the public through an online dashboard. Residents can view current air quality, observe pollutant trends, access historical information, and receive alerts and health recommendations based on the latest readings.

The Health Department stated that the new system supports investigations into localized pollution spikes by integrating with its existing Mobile Monitoring System. This capability is intended to enhance the department’s ability to respond to changes in air quality across different neighborhoods.

The launch of Breathe Philly took place while the region was experiencing a Code Orange alert, which signals air quality that may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. The timing highlighted the relevance of providing accessible, real-time environmental data to the city’s population.

Prior to the introduction of Breathe Philly, air quality monitoring in Philadelphia relied on a smaller number of fixed and mobile stations. The expanded network is intended to provide more comprehensive and timely information for residents and city agencies.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.