Pittsburgh Air Quality in 2019

In 2019, Pittsburgh's air quality (Pittsburgh, PA area) had a median daily AQI of 61 (Moderate) across 365 monitored days. 12 days (3.3%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, 58 were Good, and the year's peak AQI was 165 (Unhealthy). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 317 of those days. The cleanest month of 2019 was June (median AQI 56, 0 days above 100) and the worst was December (median 65, 6 days above 100, peak 152).

61
Median AQI
Moderate
12
Days above AQI 100
3.3% of 365 days
82
90th percentile AQI
worst 1 day in 10
165
Peak AQI
Unhealthy
PM2.5
Main pollutant
317 of 365 days
58
Good days
15.9% of days
  • Good: 15.9%
  • Moderate: 80.8%
  • Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 2.2%
  • Unhealthy or worse: 1.1%

Extra Protection for Pittsburgh Homes

Air quality in Pittsburgh is moderate (AQI 53), with fine particles (PM2.5) the main concern. A True-HEPA purifier gives sensitive groups — kids, seniors and anyone with asthma or allergies — cleaner air indoors on days like today.

Recommended: Coway AP-1512HH MightyTrue HEPA + carbon · CADR ~246 CFM · rooms up to 361 sq ft

Check Price on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

QUICK ANSWER

How was Pittsburgh's air quality in 2019?

Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 61, with 12 days above AQI 100 out of 365 monitored — the 6th cleanest of 7 years on record for the area.

  • Peak AQI in 2019: 165 (Unhealthy).
  • Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was the main pollutant on 317 days.
  • Cleanest month: June; worst: December.

Frequently asked questions

What was the average AQI in Pittsburgh in 2019?

EPA's Air Quality System puts Pittsburgh's (Pittsburgh, PA) median daily AQI for 2019 at 61, which is Moderate. 12 days were Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse and the year's highest AQI was 165.

Which month had the worst air quality in Pittsburgh in 2019?

The cleanest month of 2019 was June (median AQI 56, 0 days above 100) and the worst was December (median 65, 6 days above 100, peak 152).

Was 2019 a good or bad year for Pittsburgh's air?

Among the 7 years EPA has published for the area (2019–2025), 2019 ranks 6th cleanest by days above AQI 100. 2019's median of 61 is above the area's typical annual median of 58.

Pittsburgh month by month in 2019

Pittsburgh air quality month by month, 2019 (Pittsburgh, PA, EPA AQS daily AQI)

MonthDays monitoredMedian AQIDays above 100Peak AQIMain pollutant
January3160088PM2.5
February28584165PM2.5
March31622108PM2.5
April3058092PM2.5
May3161087PM2.5
Junecleanest3056090PM2.5
July3169093PM2.5
August3160080PM2.5
September3061093PM2.5
October3157095PM2.5
November3061096PM2.5
Decemberworst31656152PM2.5

How 2019 compares

Among the 7 years EPA has published for the area (2019–2025), 2019 ranks 6th cleanest by days above AQI 100.

2019's median of 61 is above the area's typical annual median of 58.

Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.

Right now in Pittsburgh

The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Pittsburgh's AQI at 53 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year annual statistics, not today's reading.

View current Pittsburgh air quality →

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Pittsburgh, PA), 2019–2025. Daily AQI per CBSA is the highest AQI reported by any monitor in the area that day; the defining parameter is the pollutant that set it. Month and season statistics pool every such day in the period across all years listed. Retrieved 2026-09-09.