PM10 in Rochester, NY

Rochester Air Quality Record, 2019–2025

EPA publishes one daily AQI value per metropolitan area — the highest value any regulatory monitor in the area reported that day. For Rochester that area is Rochester, NY. In 2025 monitors there reported air quality on 365 days, with a median AQI of 39, a 90th-percentile AQI of 61 and a worst day of 135. 7 of those days reached AQI 101 or higher (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse).

Across 2019–2025, Rochester's air worsened: the area's median AQI held near 42 and days above AQI 100 rose from about 0 to 6 per year (comparing the earlier and later halves of the period).

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Annual AQI by CBSA files, https://aqs.epa.gov/aqsweb/airdata/download_files.html (retrieved 2026-09-07). Area: Rochester, NY (Core Based Statistical Area 40380).

How often is PM10 the main pollutant in Rochester?

Across 2019–2025, PM10 was the pollutant that set the daily AQI on 0 of 2557 measured days in the Rochester, NY area — about 0% of the time. In 2025 alone it led on 0 days. A pollutant "leads" when its own AQI sub-index is the highest of the day, so this is a direct measure of which pollution problem dominates locally.

About Coarse Particulate Matter

Particles between 2.5 and 10 micrometers, including dust, pollen, and mold.

Measured in µg/m³.

What is a safe level of PM10?

By the EPA Air Quality Index, coarse particulate matter is Good — safe for everyone up to 54 µg/m³ (AQI 50). Between that and 154 µg/m³ (AQI 100) the air is Moderate: fine for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals may notice symptoms. Above 154 µg/m³ the AQI enters Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups and EPA health guidance begins.

What each AQI level means for PM10

• 0–50 GoodAir quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• 51–100 ModerateAir quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
• 101–150 Unhealthy for Sensitive GroupsMembers of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
• 151–200 UnhealthyEveryone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
• 201–300 Very UnhealthyHealth warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
• 301–500 HazardousHealth alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.