Pittsburgh Air Quality in 2020
In 2020, Pittsburgh's air quality (Pittsburgh, PA area) had a median daily AQI of 55 (Moderate) across 366 monitored days. 12 days (3.3%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, 113 were Good, and the year's peak AQI was 142 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 286 of those days. The cleanest month of 2020 was May (median AQI 46, 0 days above 100) and the worst was July (median 64, 4 days above 100, peak 122).
- Good: 30.9%
- Moderate: 65.8%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 3.3%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
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.
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How was Pittsburgh's air quality in 2020?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 55, with 12 days above AQI 100 out of 366 monitored — the 5th cleanest of 7 years on record for the area.
- ✓Peak AQI in 2020: 142 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
- ✓Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was the main pollutant on 286 days.
- ✓Cleanest month: May; worst: July.
Frequently asked questions
What was the average AQI in Pittsburgh in 2020?▾
EPA's Air Quality System puts Pittsburgh's (Pittsburgh, PA) median daily AQI for 2020 at 55, which is Moderate. 12 days were Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse and the year's highest AQI was 142.
Which month had the worst air quality in Pittsburgh in 2020?▾
The cleanest month of 2020 was May (median AQI 46, 0 days above 100) and the worst was July (median 64, 4 days above 100, peak 122).
Was 2020 a good or bad year for Pittsburgh's air?▾
Among the 7 years EPA has published for the area (2019–2025), 2020 ranks 5th cleanest by days above AQI 100. 2020's median of 55 is below the area's typical annual median of 58.
Pittsburgh month by month in 2020
Pittsburgh air quality month by month, 2020 (Pittsburgh, PA, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Month | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 | 57 | 1 | 142 | PM2.5 |
| February | 29 | 56 | 1 | 102 | PM2.5 |
| March | 31 | 56 | 0 | 91 | PM2.5 |
| April | 30 | 51 | 0 | 75 | PM2.5 |
| Maycleanest | 31 | 46 | 0 | 66 | PM2.5 |
| June | 30 | 57 | 0 | 97 | PM2.5 |
| Julyworst | 31 | 64 | 4 | 122 | PM2.5 |
| August | 31 | 58 | 2 | 122 | O3 |
| September | 30 | 54 | 0 | 90 | PM2.5 |
| October | 31 | 55 | 0 | 77 | PM2.5 |
| November | 30 | 62 | 3 | 128 | PM2.5 |
| December | 31 | 55 | 1 | 120 | PM2.5 |
How 2020 compares
Among the 7 years EPA has published for the area (2019–2025), 2020 ranks 5th cleanest by days above AQI 100.
2020's median of 55 is below 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.