PM2.5 Monitoring

Fine Particulate Matter Monitoring

PM is an abbreviation for Particulate Matter. PM_2.5 is the abbreviation for fine Particulate Matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns. (By comparison, human hair diameters range from 40 to 120 microns.) PM_2.5 is produced by combustion, including vehicle exhaust, and by chemical reactions between gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.

Adverse health effects from breathing air with a high PM_2.5 concentration include: premature death, increased respiratory symptoms and disease, chronic bronchitis, and decreased lung function particularly for individuals with asthma.

The EPA has promulgated health based standards for the concentration of PM_2.5 in the atmosphere. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the 24-hour average and annual average have been set at 35 and 15 µg/m³, respectively. The data presented here has been gathered using EPA's Federal Reference Method (FRM). Only FRM data will be used for determining compliance with the health based standards.

The PM_2.5 FRM is a filter based method whereby one 24 hour sample is collected every third day, except for a few sites where daily sampling takes place. There are also monitors using this technology, modified to collect PM₁₀ samples. PM₁₀ is the abbreviation for fine Particulate Matter with a diameter smaller than 10 microns. Two sites' (IS 52 in the Bronx and Rochester) PM₁₀ samples are further analyzed to determine concentrations of selected metals.

DEC also complements the FRM network with real-time direct reading hourly PM_2.5 measurements that can be found at the Current Air Quality Measurement Data web page.

More about PM2.5 Monitoring:

PM2.5 Monitoring Sites - NYC - FRM fine particulate monitoring map, NYC only
PM2.5 Monitoring Sites, Except NYC - FRM fine particulate monitoring map, outside of NYC
PM2.5 Monitoring Site Information - Monitoring site information for PM2.5 stations in NYS.
PM2.5 / PM10 Monitoring Data - PM is the abbreviation for Particulate Matter. PM2.5 is the abbreviation for Particulate Matter with a diameter smaller than 2 1/2 microns, where a micron is one millionth of a meter. PM10 is the abbreviation for Particulate Matter with a diameter smaller than 10 microns.