The most common air pollutants carry dangerous health effects. Air pollution triggers asthma episodes, sends people to hospitals, shapes how kids' lungs develop and can even be deadly. Different pollutants hurt our bodies in different ways.
What Makes Outdoor Air Unhealthy?
Learn about common outdoor air pollutants and the sources of outdoor air pollution and how they can be cleaned up so everyone can breathe safer, healthier air.
Who Is at Risk?
Someone in every family is likely to be at risk from air pollution. Does someone you love belong to one of these vulnerable groups?
10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Air Pollution
You can reduce dirty air's harmful impact on yourself and your family. Here are some tips to minimize your exposure to dangerous air pollutants. The more information you have, the healthier you can be.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
Ever hear your local weather forecaster say that tomorrow will be a "code orange" day for air pollution? That's the Air Quality Index at work. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is the system used to warn the public when air pollution levels are dangerous. Learn more about the AQI.
State of the Air
We analyze data from official air quality monitors to compile our State of the Air report.
Page last updated: April 21, 2020