Wisconsin can celebrate its air quality successes

The Wisconsin DNR celebrates Clean Air Month this May, an important time to remember a collective responsibility to protect the air everyone breathes.

Air quality successes over the last 20 years, include an 88 percent decrease in sulfur dioxide concentrations, a 26 percent decrease in fine particle pollution and a 21 percent decrease in statewide ozone concentrations.

“The environmental progress of the last two decades, including improvements in overall air quality in Wisconsin, is a major success story,” said DNR deputy secretary Steven Little. “The DNR is committed to continuing its mission and fostering climate-positive initiatives, including staying proactive, to ensure cleaner air.”

Ongoing DNR efforts to promote and protect Wisconsin’s air quality include the following:

• Clean Diesel and Clean School Bus Funding – The DNR administers funding opportunities through the Wisconsin Clean Diesel Grant and Clean School Bus Programs. Diesel engines emit harmful pollutants that can contribute to serious public health problems, especially in school-aged children, whose lungs are still developing. Since 2008, these programs have updated or replaced more than 5,200 pieces of equipment, reducing diesel emissions by more than 625,000 tons.

• New Air Permitting resources – The DNR posted new resources to the Air Permit Public Involvement webpage. In addition to searching for active permits, the public can use the Public’s Guide to the Air Permit Process and the Air Permit Decisions - Right to Appeal documents, to better understand the air permitting process and find ways to get involved.

• Wildfire smoke impacts – Canadian wildfires in 2023, burned 45 million acres of land and caused unprecedented smoke events. Wisconsin’s most significant wildfire smoke impacts occurred from June 26-30, 2023, during which the DNR’s air monitoring network measured some of the highest particulate matter (PM5) concentrations ever recorded in the state.

In response, the DNR created a Wildfire Smoke webpage, with tips and resources to prepare for future severe wildfire episodes.

“Though air quality progress has been made in much of the state and is something important to celebrate, there are more challenges ahead,” said Gail Good, DNR Air Management Program director. “We will continue to address Wisconsin-specific air quality challenges, and make progress on air quality in our communities.”

For more ways to stay up-to-date on the current air quality, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.