Catano, Puerto Rico Air Quality
Catano County, Puerto Rico (PR)
↑ Worseningover 10 years
How Catano, Puerto Rico Air Quality Compares
Catano, Puerto Rico's median AQI of 52is 27% worse than the national average of 41. Air quality has worsened by 35 AQI points over the past decade. The area averages 10 unhealthy air days per year. The primary pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).
Catano, Puerto Rico Air Quality: The Full Picture
Catano, Puerto Rico (Catano County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of D (poor, scoring 44 out of 100), built from 10 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI rose 35 points between 2014 (17) and 2023 (52), and the five-year median now sits at 42 — inside the "Good" band on the EPA scale.
The pollutant driving most of the area's AQI readings is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). In 2023, it set the daily AQI on 156 of 209 monitored days (75% of the year), making it the controlling pollutant for the D grade. The single worst reading logged that year hit an AQI of 155 (Unhealthy), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 91.
In 2023, Catano County recorded 96 "Good" air days (46% of the 209 days with valid AQI data), 101 "Moderate" days, and 12 days at "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or above. Over the most recent five years on record, monitors logged 48 days that crossed into "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or worse — about 10 per year.
The decade-long trend is worsening: median AQI has been climbing by roughly 3.27 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2014 (median AQI 17), and the most polluted was 2023 (median AQI 52). Because the data come straight from federally certified EPA monitors, these figures track the Puerto Rico county the monitors physically sit in rather than a city boundary.
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10-Year AQI Trend
The solid line shows the median AQI each year. The dashed line shows the 90th percentile (worst 10% of days). Air quality in this area has been declining over the past decade.
Air Quality Day Breakdown
Number of days per year in each EPA AQI category. Green = Good (AQI 0-50), Yellow = Moderate (51-100), Orange = Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Red = Unhealthy or worse (151+).
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Median AQI | 90th Pct | Max AQI | Good Days | Moderate | Unhealthy+ | Pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 52 | 91 | 155 | 96 | 101 | 12 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 35 | 64 | 86 | 228 | 81 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 50 | 80 | 151 | 151 | 136 | 13 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 28 | 64 | 332 | 207 | 52 | 12 | Ozone |
| 2019 | 45 | 89 | 173 | 194 | 142 | 11 | PM2.5 |
| 2018 | 47 | 63 | 116 | 158 | 126 | 2 | PM2.5 |
| 2017 | 33 | 60 | 116 | 190 | 61 | 2 | PM2.5 |
| 2016 | 24 | 44 | 203 | 339 | 25 | 2 | PM2.5 |
| 2015 | 19 | 46 | 139 | 337 | 27 | 1 | PM10 |
| 2014 | 17 | 38 | 71 | 346 | 19 | 0 | PM10 |
What This Means for Catano County Residents
Catano, Puerto Rico has received an Air Quality Grade of D (44/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 52 falls in the "Moderate" range.
Concerning trends show air quality has been declining, with the median AQI rising by 35 points over the monitoring period. This could be driven by increased development, wildfire smoke, or industrial activity.
The primary pollutant affecting this area is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). Over the past 5 years, this area has averaged 10 unhealthy air quality days per year, days when sensitive groups (children, elderly, those with respiratory conditions) should limit outdoor activity. The American Lung Association's State of the Air report provides additional context on long-term health risks from air pollution exposure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Catano, Puerto Rico has a current median AQI of 52, which falls in the "Moderate" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of D (44/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Catano, Puerto Rico is worsening over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by +35 points from 2014 to 2023.
Catano, Puerto Rico averages 10 unhealthy air quality days per year over the past 5 years. On these days, sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions should limit outdoor activity.
The primary pollutant affecting Catano, Puerto Rico is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Catano County area.
Catano, Puerto Rico averages 10 unhealthy air days per year. Asthma patients should monitor daily AQI readings and limit outdoor activity when AQI exceeds 100. The primary pollutant is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), which is a known asthma trigger.
With a median AQI of 52 (Moderate), outdoor exercise in Catano, Puerto Rico is safe most days, though sensitive individuals should check daily AQI before intense workouts. Catano, Puerto Rico averages 10 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.