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NEW TESTING BEGINS FOR AIRBORNE DUST

Release Date: 1/8/1999
Contact Information: Bonnie Lomax (215) 814-5542

PHILADELPHIA - On Jan. 1, 1999, state and local air pollution control agencies nationwide began monitoring for a new air pollutant, particulate matter - or fine airborne dust - also known as "PM2.5".  

In July 1997, EPA announced a new standard for very small diameter (less than 2.5 microns), breathable particulates in the air.  The standard is based on a review of scientific evidence which links exposure to ambient particulate matter with adverse health effects.  These effects include increased hospital admissions and emergency rooms visits, primarily in children and the elderly; and increased respiratory symptoms and cardiopulmonary disease such as asthma.

The state and local air pollution control agencies have worked diligently to design monitoring networks and install the new monitors equipped to measure this pollutant.  EPA reviewed and approved the network designs for this new monitoring program last summer.  

EPA Region III has fully funded the PM2.5 monitoring program in the mid-Atlantic region, providing 96 monitoring sites throughout the District of Columbia and the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  A list of the monitoring sites is attached.  For more information contact your state or local air monitoring agency.    


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Approved PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in Philadelphia

Belmont North Broad
Children’s Hospital North East Airport
Elmwood Philadelphia Northeast Laboratory

Approved  PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in Pennsylvania (Allegheny County, Pa.)
 
Avalon Moore
Flag Plaza North Braddock
Harrison North Park
Lawrenceville Springdale
Leesdale South Fayette
Liberty South Park

Other Approved  PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in Pennsylvania 

Allentown Leesdale
Bristol McKeesport
Chester Monessen
Conshohocken Narato Site
Coraopolis Reading
Erie Scranton
Freemansburg Springdale
Greensburg South Park
Harrisburg Wilkes Barre  
Johnstown York
Lancaster City

Approved  PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in Delaware  

Bellefonte Newark
Dover Seaford
Killens Pond Wilmington
Lums Pond

Approved  PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in Maryland  

Baltimore (4) Lewinsville
Bladensburg Padonia
Davidsonville Riveria Beach
Dundalk Rockville
Edgewood Suitland
Essex Wagner’s Pond
Fort Meade Westport  

Approved PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in the District of Columbia


McMillian Reservoir River Terrace
National Park Service

Approved PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in Virginia 

Arlington County Lynchburg City County
Bristol City County Norfolk
Charles City County Prince William County
Chesapeake City Richmond
Chesterfield County Roanoke
Fairfax County Rockbridge City County
Hampton Salem City County
Henrico County Shenandoah National Park
Loudon County Tidewater

Proposed PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in West Virginia  

Beckley Monongalia National Forest
Bloomington Morgantown
Charleston Moundsville
Fairmont South Charleston
Follansbee Vienna
Greenbrier Weirton (2)
Huntington Wheeling
Martinsburg