Air Quality "Village Green" Bench Monitors

Click on a monitor to see pollutant levels for that site and a link to timeline data for the site. Please note that not every monitor measures the same pollutants.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

  • Good
  • Moderate
  • Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
  • Unhealthy
  • Very Unhealthy
  • Hazardous
  • AQI unavailable
Air Quality Index
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS

Citywide Air Quality Information

This page summarizes the city wide air quality measured at five monitoring locations. Since ozone and particulate matter are measured at more than one location, their displayed air quality conditions in the table are the highest (worst) of all the locations.

This AQI summary may be different than summaries provided by the EPA as it uses non-regulatory monitors to be more representative of local conditions.

District Residents' Experiences with Air Quality

Air quality is more than just numbers and colors on an index. It affects how people live, work and play. Learn how air quality has impacted the lives of some District residents here.

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More Information

DOEE manages a variety of air quality sensors in the District, including our six station, 24-hour air monitoring network that measures air pollutants and meteorological conditions. The data that comes from these highly sensitive and accurate stations is used to determine the District's compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) national ambient air quality standards.

The four solar-powered park bench monitors were developed by the EPA as a unique way to engage the public in measuring air quality and weather. They provide real-time, reliable readings on levels of fine particle pollution and ozone, as well as meteorological data.

The Clarity Node monitors are also solar-powered and rely on cellular networks for data transmission, meaning they can be placed almost anywhere outdoors. They measure particulate matter (PM) concentrations, including PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 and Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). DOEE focused on placing the Nodes in historically overburdened areas of the District that do not have existing monitors.

PurpleAir sensors measure hyperlocal concentrations of PM2.5. These sensors are hosted at residents' homes or workplaces and are part of DOEE's PurpleAir Sensor Project. DOEE uses all of these sensors to measure air quality in the District on both a holistic and hyperlocal level.

Measurement units: nanograms per cubic meter (ng/m3)


Infrared black carbon is the traditional method for quantifying fossil fuel-derived black carbon from diesel and other sources.

Ultraviolet black carbon is a strong indicator of biomass and tobacco smoke.

Measurement units: micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3)

Air quality good icon
Good  (1-hr avg PM2.5:   0 - 38 µg/m3      Nowcast PM2.5:   0 - 9.0 µg/m3      Nowcast PM10:   0 - 54 µg/m3)
No cautionary statement.
Air quality moderate icon
Moderate  (1-hr avg PM2.5:   39 - 88 µg/m3      Nowcast PM2.5:   9.1 - 35.4 µg/m3      Nowcast PM10:   55 - 154 µg/m3)
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups icon
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups  (1-hr avg PM2.5:   89 - 138 µg/m3      Nowcast PM2.5:   35.5 - 55.4 µg/m3      Nowcast PM10:   155 - 254 µg/m3)
Children, older adults, active people, and people with heart or lung disease (such as asthma) should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Air quality unhealthy icon
Unhealthy   (1-hr avg PM2.5:   139 - 351 µg/m3      Nowcast PM2.5:   55.5 - 125.4 µg/m3      Nowcast PM10:   255 - 354 µg/m3)
Children, older adults, active people, and people with heart or lung disease (such as asthma) should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Air quality very unhealthy icon
Very Unhealthy  (1-hr avg PM2.5:   352 - 525 µg/m3      Nowcast PM2.5:   125.5 - 225.4 µg/m3      Nowcast PM10:   355 - 424 µg/m3)
Children, older adults, active people, and people with heart or lung disease (such as asthma) should avoid all outdoor exertion. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Air quality hazardous icon
Hazardous  (1-hr avg PM2.5:   526+ µg/m3      Nowcast PM2.5:   225.5+ µg/m3      Nowcast PM10:   425+ µg/m3)
Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease (such as asthma) should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keeping particle levels low indoors.
Learn more about the Air Quality Index »

Measurement units: parts per billion (ppb))

Air quality good icon
Good (0 - 54 ppb)
No cautionary statement.
Air quality moderate icon
Moderate (55 - 70 ppb)
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups icon
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (71 - 85 ppb)
Children, older adults, active people, and people with lung disease (such as asthma) should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Air quality unhealthy icon
Unhealthy (86 - 105 ppb)
Children, older adults, active people, and people with lung disease (such as asthma) should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Air quality very unhealthy icon
Very Unhealthy (106+ ppb)
Children, older adults, active people, and people with lung disease (such as asthma) should avoid all outdoor exertion. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Learn more about the Air Quality Index »

This AQI summary may be slightly different than summaries provided by the EPA as it includes non-regulatory monitors to be more representative of local conditions.