May is Clean Air Month

Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 -- 11:00 AM

May is Clean Air Month and there is much to celebrate at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, including the positive steps toward reducing air emissions and improving air quality across the state.

And it's working. Recent studies show that 95% of Wisconsinites live in areas meeting all federal air quality standards.  Clean air is important to everyone.

Poor air quality can affect people of all ages, especially those sensitive to air pollution, including people with asthma or heart conditions, people who work and exercise outdoors, and older adults and children.

The DNR works closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, research and scientific organizations, businesses and non-profits to reduce air emissions and improve air quality across the state.

Reducing emissions from things like vehicles and electric generation utilities play a large role in improving air quality.  And the public is helping too. Wisconsinites are using low-cost air quality sensors to track air quality closer to home.

The DNR recently conducted a study comparing low-cost air quality sensors with the DNR’s federally-approved air quality monitors and created tools and correction factors to better align citizen sensor data with the DNR’s data.

Sensor information, along with tools to help the public get involved in air quality monitoring, are available on the DNR’s Air Monitoring Sensors webpage.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.