West Philadelphia Monitors Track Local Air Quality

New sensors provide residents with real-time data to help manage exposure to poor air quality and asthma triggers.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Asthma

West Philadelphia Monitors Track Local Air Quality

Live Poll

Should local communities install independent air quality monitors to supplement official government reporting?

Greg Jenkins has installed 15 air monitors in West Philadelphia to provide hyper-local data on particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone levels. The sensors are part of the larger 76-device Breathe Philly network, which helps residents track air quality via a mobile app.

Why it matters

The network fills critical gaps in the city's official air quality monitoring coverage, allowing residents to make informed decisions about outdoor activities. This information is particularly important in areas where local asthma rates exceed city and national averages.

In 2024, adult asthma rates in West Philadelphia ranged from 9.3% to 15.6%, surpassing the 11.5% citywide average and 8.6% national benchmark. The Breathe Philly network now operates 76 sensors throughout the city to track environmental indicators.

The players

Greg Jenkins

He is the lead coordinator responsible for the expansion of the air monitoring sensor network.

Breathe Philly

This is a municipal air quality network that operates 76 monitoring devices across the city.

JustAir

This organization operates the mobile application that provides residents with real-time air quality data.

Mantua Civic Association

This local community group manages neighborhood activities and has adjusted operations based on air quality metrics.

The details

Jenkins uses solar-powered sensors placed at homes, parks, and community sites to feed environmental information into an app operated by JustAir. Residents in neighborhoods like Mantua have already utilized this data to shift activities indoors when air conditions deteriorate.

February 2026: The Breathe Philly network officially launched its operations.
June 2024: Residents reported seasonal struggles with local air quality.
July 2024: The Mantua Civic Association moved events indoors due to smoke conditions.
2024: Data was collected to determine neighborhood-level asthma rates.

Health Landscape

The project addresses modern air quality disparities that follow a pattern established by the 1930s Home Owners' Loan Corporation redlining maps. By installing sensors in historically underserved areas, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap in environmental health data.

Residents can use the mobile app to monitor local pollution levels and decide when to limit outdoor time or adjust exercise routines. This data-driven approach allows individuals to better manage their respiratory health based on precise, neighborhood-level conditions.

The takeaway

Access to real-time, localized air quality data empowers residents to mitigate health risks by proactively avoiding exposure on poor air days. Tracking these metrics enables community members to make informed daily decisions that directly support long-term respiratory health.