Monitors Reveal Unhealthy Levels of Air Pollution Outside of Wildfire Smoke Incidents

This line chart shows hourly average AQI values for Salisbury and College Park. In Salisbury, AQI occasionally reached unhealthy levels even outside wildfire smoke events. On June 14, around 3 a.m., PM2.5 levels peaked at 234 μg/m³, approaching ‘very unhealthy’ on the AQI scale.

A line chart shows hourly Air Quality Index (AQI) averages for Salisbury and College Park, with color-coded bands representing different AQI categories from 'Good' to 'Hazardous.' The chart highlights significant spikes in particulate matter levels, with a peak of 234 μg/m3 in Salisbury on June 14th around 3:00 a.m., indicating very unhealthy air quality. These spikes are observed both during and outside of wildfire smoke incidents in June 2023.
Data was collected using an Awair Omni air quality monitor. Air quality index values were calculated using particulate matter 2.5 values from the Awair Omni devices and reflect the EPA’s outdoor AQI standards. RESPIRAR air monitors took a reading every five minutes.
Chart: Alisha Camacho Source: RESPIRAR Created with Datawrapper