AIR QUALITY PA

Air Quality in Philadelphia, PA: Moderate (63 AQI)

AQI 63 · Moderate · PM2.5 · Updated 2026-05-03

Philadelphia's air quality is moderate. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.

Data: EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index Last verified: 2026-05-03

Average AQI

Moderate

AQI Category

Wildfire Risk

Mold Score

ZIP Codes

What is AQI?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardized scale from 0 to 500 that measures air pollution levels. 0-50 is "Good," 51-100 is "Moderate," 101-150 is "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," and above 150 is "Unhealthy" for everyone. AQI tracks five major pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Philadelphia's average AQI of 63 falls in the "Moderate" range.

Air Quality Map: Philadelphia, PA

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates AQI level. Tap a dot for details.

Good (0-50) Moderate (51-100) USG (101-150) Unhealthy (151+)

Air Quality by ZIP Code in Philadelphia

AQI varies across Philadelphia's 87 ZIP codes based on proximity to pollution sources and local geography.

ZIP Code	AQI	Category	Wildfire	Mold
19019	63	Moderate	20	37	View report →
19092	63	Moderate	20	37	View report →
19093	63	Moderate	20	37	View report →
19099	63	Moderate	20	37	View report →
19101	63	Moderate	20	41	View report →
19102	63	Moderate	19	50	View report →
19103	63	Moderate	20	66	View report →
19104	63	Moderate	20	60	View report →
19105	63	Moderate	19	41	View report →
19106	63	Moderate	19	54	View report →
19107	63	Moderate	19	60	View report →
19108	63	Moderate	20	54	View report →
19109	63	Moderate	19	37	View report →
19110	63	Moderate	19	41	View report →
19111	63	Moderate	20	57	View report →

Showing 15 of 20 ZIP codes. View all.

Air Quality Overview

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has moderate air quality with an average AQI of 63. Air quality is acceptable, though some pollutants may be a concern for a small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. The dominant pollutant is PM2.5.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an EPA-standardized scale from 0 to 500. Values below 50 are "Good," 51-100 "Moderate," 101-150 "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," 151-200 "Unhealthy," 201-300 "Very Unhealthy," and above 300 "Hazardous."

Dominant Pollutant: PM2.5

PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) consists of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers — about 30 times thinner than a human hair. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

Health effects of PM2.5 exposure:

Short-term: coughing, shortness of breath, aggravated asthma
Long-term: reduced lung function, cardiovascular disease, premature death
Most vulnerable: children, elderly, people with heart or lung disease

Common sources in urban areas: vehicle exhaust, construction dust, industrial emissions, wildfire smoke, residential wood burning.

Air Quality by ZIP Code in Philadelphia

AQI varies across Philadelphia's 87 ZIP codes based on proximity to pollution sources, traffic patterns, and local geography:

ZIP Code	AQI	Category	Wildfire Risk	Mold Score
19019	63	Moderate	20	37
19092	63	Moderate	20	37
19093	63	Moderate	20	37
19099	63	Moderate	20	37
19101	63	Moderate	20	41
19102	63	Moderate	19	50
19103	63	Moderate	20	66
19104	63	Moderate	20	60
19105	63	Moderate	19	41
19106	63	Moderate	19	54
19107	63	Moderate	19	60
19108	63	Moderate	20	54
19109	63	Moderate	19	37
19110	63	Moderate	19	41
19111	63	Moderate	20	57

Showing 15 of 87 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed data.

Wildfire Smoke Risk

Philadelphia has an elevated wildfire smoke risk with an average smoke risk score of 19 (scale 0-100). There have been 927 fires recorded within 100 km of city ZIP codes.

Metric	Value
Avg. smoke risk score	19
Max smoke risk score	20
Fires within 100 km	927
High-risk ZIP codes	0

Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Even short-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks and respiratory distress.

Indoor Mold Risk

Philadelphia has an average mold risk score of 49 out of 100, with 41 ZIP codes in the high-risk category.

Factor	Value
Mold risk score	49/100
Average humidity	68% RH
High-risk ZIPs	41
Peak season	summer high

Mold risk is influenced by humidity levels, housing age (older homes have more moisture issues), flood history, and water infrastructure quality. Indoor humidity above 60% creates favorable conditions for mold growth.

Signs of mold problems: musty odors, visible growth on walls or ceilings, worsening allergies indoors, condensation on windows. Professional mold testing ($300-$600) can identify hidden issues.

Health Recommendations

With moderate air quality (AQI 63), most people can be active outdoors. Sensitive groups should take precautions:

Sensitive groups (asthma, COPD, heart disease): consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion
Keep windows closed on high-pollution days
Use a HEPA air purifier in main living areas
Check AirNow.gov before outdoor exercise

Philadelphia vs. Nearby Pennsylvania Cities

How Philadelphia's air quality compares to nearby cities:

City	AQI	Category	Population
Philadelphia	63	Moderate	1,600,000
Bala Cynwyd	61	Moderate	1,600,000
Bensalem	55	Moderate	1,600,000
Bryn Athyn	61	Moderate	1,600,000

ZIP Codes in Philadelphia

Philadelphia covers 87 ZIP codes. Air quality can vary by neighborhood based on proximity to highways, industrial areas, and green spaces. Check your specific ZIP code for localized data.

Data Sources

Air quality: EPA AirNow — real-time and historical AQI data
Wildfire risk: FEMA National Risk Index
Mold risk: Derived from EPA, FEMA, Census ACS (humidity, housing age, flood history)
Monthly AQI: EPA Air Quality Statistics

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the air safe to breathe in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia's average AQI is 63 (Moderate). Air quality is acceptable, but unusually sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms during peak pollution times.

How many unhealthy air days does Philadelphia have?

Philadelphia has zero recorded unhealthy air quality days, which is excellent. Air quality can still vary seasonally due to wildfire smoke, pollen, or industrial activity.

What is the AQI in Philadelphia?

The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Philadelphia is 63, categorized as Moderate. The primary pollutant is PM2.5. AQI ranges from 0-500, where 0-50 is Good, 51-100 Moderate, 101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and 151+ Unhealthy.

What is the wildfire risk in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a wildfire risk score of 19 out of 100. Low wildfire risk means smoke events are uncommon, but regional fires can still temporarily affect air quality.

Is mold a concern in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a mold risk score of 49 out of 100, based on humidity, precipitation, and temperature data. Maintain good ventilation and address any water intrusion promptly to prevent mold growth.

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