City of Memphis Releases Initial Air Quality Testing Results: No Dangerous Levels Detected

Independent third-party data shows no dangerous pollutant levels at Boxtown, Whitehaven, or Downtown test sites
 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. June 24, 2025. The City of Memphis today released the results of its initial air quality monitoring initiative, following concerns raised by residents, particularly in the 38109 ZIP code, about local environmental conditions.

In direct response to community concerns, the City of Memphis commissioned third-party air quality testing at three locations — Boxtown, Whitehaven, and Downtown Memphis (City Hall) — on June 13 and June 16, 2025. The testing was conducted by an independent, accredited laboratory and targeted key pollutants known to impact public health, including benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.

The findings were definitive and reassuring.

At every site and for every pollutant tested, levels were either too low to detect or well below established safety thresholds. Only one sample – formaldehyde at City Hall on June 13 – slightly exceeded the lab’s Limit of Quantitation (LOQ), yet even that result remained far beneath any level of health concern.

City officials emphasized that while this initial data provides important insight, it represents only a snapshot in time. Continued monitoring is planned, and future results will be made publicly available.

“The City doesn’t control air quality regulations, but we stepped up to find answers,” said Mayor Paul Young.
“The initial results showed no dangerous levels of air pollutants at any of the tested sites. We are committed to ongoing testing to continue to inform and protect our community.”

The City of Memphis thanks residents, especially those in 38109, for their advocacy and engagement. Community voices directly shaped this effort.

For more information and to view the report findings, click here. 

 

 

Overview of the Report

  • Dates Tested: June 13 and 16, 2025
  • Locations:
    • City Hall (Downtown)
    • Macedonia Church (38109)
    • The Links at Whitehaven (38109)
  • Test Duration: ~12 hours per site, per date

  • Third-party Vendor/Lab: EnSafe inc./SGS Galson (independent, ISO-accredited)

Key Findings

Across all sampling sites and dates, the following pollutants were tested:
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):
    • Benzene, Ethylbenzene, Toluene, Xylene
  • Carbonyl Compounds:
    • Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde
  • Gases:
    • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO)

  • Respirable Particulate Matter/Fine Particulate Matter (PM)

Results Summary:

  • All pollutants were below the lab’s Limit of Quantitation (LOQ) — meaning concentrations were too low to reliably measure — except one instance:
    • Formaldehyde at City Hall on June 13 measured 0.0038 ppm, slightly above LOQ but still well below OSHA/NIOSH/WHO exposure thresholds.

  • All other results were listed as “< LOQ” or “<” a very low concentration, e.g.,
    • Benzene: < 0.010 ppm
    • Respirable PM: < 0.031–0.036 mg/m³
    • CO: 0–<1 ppm (TWA and peak)
    • NO₂ and SO₂: consistently < 0.1 ppm

What this means:

  • The air samples collected did not detect any pollutant at levels of concern based on current regulatory or health-based exposure guidelines.
  • Even the single detection of formaldehyde was significantly lower than federal limits (e.g., OSHA PEL for formaldehyde is 0.75 ppm TWA).