Historian John Gurda commented that this boom of economic activity hung a “permanent pall of smoke” over the city. At that time, dirty coal-powered factories and steam engines billowed toxic clouds into the air. Milwaukee air quality has made drastic improvements since the city was founded in 1846. Is Milwaukee air pollution getting worse? Use the Milwaukee air pollution map to understand local variances across the city and the flow of pollution from location to location. As the frequency and severity of wildfires is expected to increase with climate change, so too could the frequency and severity of Milwaukee’s smokey pollution haze during wildfire season. Polluted air was transported via a powerful jet stream thousands of miles to the Midwest. 3 In 2018, the month of August experienced PM2.5 levels averaging a US AQI “moderate” rating as a result of wildfires in the northwest US and southern Canada. Some periods of hazy air in Milwaukee have been the result of wildfires, sometimes blowing polluted air in from as far as Alberta, Canada. Common emission sources include vehicles, industry, and building heating. Milwaukee’s hazy air is often the result of smog, a combination of particulate and ozone air pollution. Reducing ozone precursor pollutant emissions is the best way to target and reduce unhealthy ozone. According to the 2017 study, lake breezes contribute as much as 80 percent of high ozone air pollution episodes in Wisconsin. When wind blows in, Milwaukee’s ozone levels can quickly become unhealthy. High pressure systems to the east create conditions including clear skies, air stagnation, and little precipitation, resulting in the accumulation of ozone over the lake in the summer. Studies conducted by the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO) have found that weather patterns over Lake Michigan can strongly influence ozone levels in Milwaukee as well as in other locations on the lake’s shore. Common adverse health effects can include chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. Heightened ozone levels can aggravate respiratory problems, especially in children, the elderly, and those with preexisting heart and lung disease. Highest levels often occur during the afternoon hours and around rush hour. Milwaukee ozone problems are summer related, as winter lacks the ideal conditions for formation at dangerous levels. Motor vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions are major sources of NOx and VOCs, both ozone precursor pollutants. Ozone, a key component of smog, is formed when sunlight and heat interact with pollutants in the air, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Milwaukee’s severe nonattainment status has resulted in an “F” rating by the American Lung Association for daily ozone. How many ozone warnings occur per year in Milwaukee?įrom 2016 to 2018, Milwaukee experienced a weighted average of 6 unhealthy ozone days, nearly double the federal target of 3.2 days. Check Milwaukee air quality ratings at the top of this page for current conditions. While emissions may remain relatively constant, the trapping effect results in an accumulation of pollution, rising Milwaukee measured pollution levels.ĭecember was Milwaukee’s most polluted month in both 20, averaging a US AQI rating of “moderate.” November, January, and February also tend to experience elevated air quality index values near or in excess of the “good” AQI threshold.Īir pollution is variable and can change on a moment’s notice. During a cool air inversion, cold surface-level smog becomes trapped under a warmer layer of air above. Weather phenomena known as cool air inversions are responsible for elevated pollution levels during this season. Generally, Milwaukee air quality is worse in the winter months. Since then, ozone levels have been on the rise. The federal standard allows no more than 3.2 unhealthy days. Milwaukee, however, was very close to attainment during 2013 to 2015, with a weighted average of 3.3 unhealthy ozone days. 1 Data collected in the State of the Air report reveals that Milwaukee hasn’t met ozone attainment since at least 1996. For the 2016 to 2018 monitoring period, Milwaukee received a passing “A” rating for both annual and 24-hour PM2.5 pollution, but received a failing “F” rating for ozone. The American Lung Association uses federal limits on air pollution to rate air quality across US counties and regions.

Despite generally clean air, the city does suffer from a number of high pollution days and moreover exceeds the federal target for the number of permitted unhealthy ozone days. Milwaukee annual air quality averages a US AQI rating of “good.” This rating indicates that Milwaukee air typically poses little to no risk to human health.

What is the air quality rating in Milwaukee?

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