SWIFTWATER Air Monitoring Station | Monroe County, Pennsylvania

SWIFTWATER is an air monitoring station located in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, near the intersection of Route 611 and Brookdale Road. The station is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and is part of the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which monitors criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters across the United States. As a rural station in the Pocono region, it contributes to understanding regional air quality patterns. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Air Act and EPA monitoring requirements. Typical air monitoring stations in Pennsylvania measure pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. The station's last reported sample date is June 30, 2025, indicating ongoing data collection. The Pennsylvania DEP coordinates with EPA to ensure siting representativeness and data quality. Environmental monitoring in this region is important due to the mix of local sources (transportation, residential heating) and transported pollution from urban areas. The data from SWIFTWATER supports public health advisories, regulatory compliance, and research on air quality trends. The station's rural location helps characterize background conditions and the effectiveness of regional emission reduction programs.

The SWIFTWATER station is situated in a rural area of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, within the Pocono Mountains region. This location is representative of background air quality conditions, away from major urban or industrial sources. Monitoring here helps assess long-range transport of pollutants and the impact of regional emission sources. The station's data contributes to the EPA's network for tracking compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and understanding ozone and particle pollution patterns in the northeastern United States.