DNR Celebrates Air Quality Accomplishments

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 -- 8:01 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) welcomes Clean Air Month this May by celebrating the accomplishments of the last 20 years, including the improvement in overall air quality in Wisconsin.

Air quality successes over the last twenty years include an 88% decrease in sulfur dioxide concentrations, a 35% decrease in fine particle pollution and a 25% decrease in ozone concentrations along the state’s Lake Michigan shoreline.

While Wisconsin has seen overall pollution reductions, the DNR’s 2022 Wisconsin Air Quality Trends Report shows that levels of certain pollutants have plateaued or even slightly increased in some areas in recent years.

To better illustrate these trends, the DNR launched an interactive StoryMap, which illustrates Wisconsin's air quality trends for each pollutant over the last 20 years.

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