What does air quality refer to?
Air quality in cities refers to the level of pollutants and other harmful particles present in the air, often resulting from human activities such as transportation and industrial processes. Poor air quality can cause a range of negative health impacts, such as respiratory illnesses and heart disease, and can also damage buildings, crops, and natural ecosystems. Air pollution disproportionately affects vulnerable populations such as low-income communities and people of color.
How does air quality impact your community?
People living in areas that have poor air quality can experience the following:
- Negative health impacts including respiratory illnesses, heart disease, preterm and low-birthweight infants, and poor mental health.
- Damage to the community's natural ecosystems, crops, and buildings
Poor air quality in cities can have various negative environmental impacts, such as:
- acid rain,
- ozone depletion, and
- climate change
Air pollution can also harm plant and animal life, degrade soil quality, and contribute to the loss of biodiversity. Additionally, air pollution can damage buildings and infrastructure, resulting in increased maintenance costs and reduced lifespan. The negative environmental impacts of air pollution highlight the need for effective policies and practices to improve air quality in urban areas.
Take Action: Additional Informational Resources
Take Action When Air Quality is Poor
- If the air quality index is orange, reduce physical exertion and the amount of time spent outside.
- If the air quality index is red or worse, avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. If you use an inhaler, keep it with you.
- DNR Map: https://airquality.wi.gov/home/map
Measure Air Quality based on your current location
![](https://hdp-us-prod-app-ccs-uwmadison-files.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/9616/7776/7185/air-quality-img.png)
Check the Daily Air Quality Index by downloading an air quality app on your phone:
AIRNow from the Environmental Protection Agency
Wisconsin Air Quality Monitoring from the WI Department of Natural Resources
What can you do to improve air quality at your home? Check these resources: