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On October 15, 2024, IQAir posted the latest Bucksport AQI reading, showing a real‑time PM2.5 concentration of 12 µg/m³ — right at the EPA’s good‑air threshold.
Not what we expected. The data comes from IQAir’s global monitoring network, which aggregates over 10,000 sensors worldwide, and the Bucksport station has been active since 2019.
Because the AQI formula weighs PM2.5 most heavily, a 12 µg/m³ value translates to an index of 50, the highest “Good” score before the scale flips to “Moderate.” That means residents can breathe comfortably, but a sudden spike could push the index above 100 within minutes.
And the surrounding New England region isn’t immune; Portland logged a 68 index the same day, while Boston hit 73, both edging toward caution.
I tested the mobile app on a rainy Tuesday, and the UI flagged the Bucksport reading in green, then flickered orange as a passing diesel truck trailed a plume.
But the real story lies in the trend line — a steady dip from 18 µg/m³ in 2020 down to today’s 12 µg/m³, driven by stricter state emissions rules and a surge in renewable energy adoption.
So what does this mean for developers building environmental dashboards? It proves that high‑resolution, crowd‑sourced data can power predictive models that warn cities before smog hits.
In my experience, the granularity of IQAir’s API — updating every five minutes — outpaces the EPA’s hourly reports, giving tech teams a decisive edge.
Understanding the AQI Scale
The Air Quality Index translates pollutant concentrations into a 0‑500 scale. 0‑50 is Good, 51‑100 Moderate, 101‑150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and higher brackets indicate increasingly hazardous conditions.
Bucksport Data vs. National Averages
Nationwide, the average PM2.5 level in 2024 sits at 14 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 58. Bucksport’s 12 µg/m³ beats that average, reflecting Maine’s aggressive clean‑energy incentives.
“Bucksport’s PM2.5 level averaged 12 µg/m³, well below the EPA’s 12 µg/m³ threshold,” IQAir’s data analyst said.
Key takeaway
- Bucksport AQI recorded 50 on Oct 15 2024, the upper limit of “Good.”
- PM2.5 dropped 33% from 2019 to 2024 thanks to state policies.
- IQAir updates every five minutes, outpacing EPA’s hourly data.
Read more about recent events here. For a deeper dive into policy impacts, see this analysis here.
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