“Poor air quality can impact human health and the environment,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “The data calculated on the dashboard will identify sources of air pollution and be used as a tool to develop mitigation strategies to improve the air in impacted communities.”
The project study area spans roughly seven miles, from west to east, across the City of Chester, Chester Township, Upland Borough, Trainer Borough, Marcus Hook Borough, Lower Chichester Township, and the southern portion of Upper Chichester Township.
The public can view the Spanish and English speaking versions of Delaware County Air Monitoring Project dashboard.
Currently the dashboard is only displaying data for PM2.5 reading.
When fully implemented, the monitors measure not only dust/particles (PM), but also ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
[DEP did not include information on whether any hazardous air pollutants, like benzene or other cancer-causing chemicals emitted from refineries and heavy industry would be monitored.]
A final version of the dashboard is expected in the coming months which will show historical data of other air pollutants, and the community can view the data directly, whether they are interested in the complete study area or just the sensor nearest to their home or workplace.
This dashboard will help the public assess real-time information to understand the concentrations that lead to exceedances in local communities.
DEP was awarded $377,443 in July 2023, from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s American Rescue Plan grant program to conduct enhanced PM monitoring in Delaware County waterfront communities working in partnership with Delaware County and Johns Hopkins University, who will perform the data analysis.
In December 2025, DEP finished deploying 32 air monitoring sensors.
This project is designed to provide a data set to begin to address concerns expressed by the community who live near industrial businesses and heavy traveled transportation corridors that have led to community members’ questions about the air quality in their neighborhoods.
Click Here for the DEP announcement.
Community Outreach Meeting
As part of the program, Delaware County is beginning its community outreach.
Delaware County has planned public meetings to answer any questions and provide expert support to understand the data.
One meeting remains on the initial schedule--
-- March 31: Online, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. -- Features an overview of the report and an opportunity for Q+A. Click Here to register.
Want to make a suggestion for a public meeting location or analysis you would like to see? email PetersonS@co.delaware.pa.us.
Click Here to sign up for a mailing list on the project to be alerted of public meetings and other information.
To learn more about the project, visit the Delaware County Planning Department’s Air Quality Monitoring Project webpage.
[Posted: March 30, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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