Aug. 10, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Three years ago, “Lehigh Valley Breathes” was introduced at a press conference on the grounds of Musikfest in Bethlehem.
The air-monitoring program announced plans to put up 40 monitors to measure little particles, particulates, in the air. Northampton and Lehigh counties each put up $52,890 to cover the cost.
The expense was justified, we were told, because of pollution from trucks, warehouses, industry and whatever else sends particulates into the air. There was some doubt when it came time for Northampton County Council to vote, but the spending was approved.
Updates were to be posted to the Lehigh Valley Breathes website.
The last update was on December 2025, nine months ago.
One of the issues with approving the expense was the value of the data, and who would use it.
Those questions remain. What happened to Lehigh Valley Breathes? I’ve sent email to the project and will welcome a response.
Maybe the project is over. Maybe they just decided not to update the taxpayers, maybe something else.
It’s time for the two counties to ask how Lehigh Valley Breathes is going.
Perhaps quietly, it’s been a great success. Very quietly.
I’m asking people in the counties about this too, $106,000 of taxpayers’ money is worth looking into.
Find out what happened and if this wasn’t a success, be more wary next time.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 