AirSense Report
(September 2025-November 2025)
Key Findings from Monitoring PM2.5, NO2, Ozone, and VOCs
Below is a summary of key findings from the fourth quarterly report on data collected from five Aeroqual AQM-65 air monitors in Beaver County, PA from September 2, 2025 through November 17, 2025. The Environmental Health Project (EHP) collected this data with the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) as a part of the AirSense Community Monitoring Project, which is funded by Shell penalty dollars from the Environmental Mitigation Community Fund. These results reflect a 77-day monitoring period of air quality in Beaver County.
General Findings for All Pollutants Monitored (PM2.5, NO2, Ozone, and VOCs)
- PM2.5 and NO2 pollutants remained in the “Good” and “Moderate” EPA levels and within the EPA air quality standards
- Ozone levels exceeded EPA air quality standards
- Regional and local sources of PM2.5, NO2 and VOCs
- Some simultaneous spikes in PM2.5 and VOC levels, resulting in possible compounded health impacts
- Some spikes that reached levels that could produce health effects in adults, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups
Fine Particulate Matter Findings (PM2.5)
- All monitors met the 24-hour (35 μg/m3) and annual (9 μg/m3) EPA standards
- High, but infrequent, short-term exposures (spikes) lasting for 15 or more minutes reached the “Moderate” category, indicating potential health effects in sensitive groups
- Multiple regional sources that are southwest, east, and northeast of the monitoring network
Nitrogen Dioxide Findings (NO2)
- Readings below the EPA standard (100 ppb), with very few spikes high enough to increase health risks
- Regional and local sources east of the monitoring network and in the Center Township area, respectively
Ozone Findings (O3)
- All readings were at elevated levels, exceeding the EPA standard (70 ppb) (see Table 1)
- Overall elevated levels of ozone for the quarter could have been due to a higher number of clearer days in September than normal. October and November readings were much lower, in line with expected seasonal changes.
- Sources of primary pollution that went onto form ozone detected in Beaver County (“ozone precursors”) located northwest, southwest, west, and southeast of the network
Table 1: Comparisons of monitor readings to ozone EPA standards 9.2.25 - 11.17.25
Volatile Organic Compound Findings (VOCs)
- Generally low across the monitoring network with very few high, short-term spikes
- Local sources in the communities of Monaca, Rochester, Center Township, Pine Run, and Conway