For nearly two decades, the first week of May has marked Air Quality Awareness Week, which underscores the important role of air quality in protecting human health and the environment. This year, state environmental agencies across the nation celebrated in a variety of ways, from sharing tools and resources to hosting celebrations. Read on for more!
- In a partnership with the Arizona Science Center, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality held its second annual Become Air Aware event, featuring interactive booths, rides, and screenings and films. Attendees will learn about the science behind the air we breathe and simple ways to protect our health.
- The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) celebrated by sharing tools and resources with the public, including air quality alerts, the Colorado Smoke Blog, and data access tools. CDPHE also provides residents with the option to receive air quality updates via email and participate in public participation opportunities to share their concerns.
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is kicking it up a notch by recognizing the entire month of May as Clean Air Month. Through its campaign to Breathe Deep FL, DEP is sharing resources for residents to learn air facts, better understand the state of their local air quality, and take steps to champion #CleanAirMonth.
- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who ECOS met in Savannah, signed a proclamation recognizing the week and celebrated data showing decreases in carbon dioxide and criteria air pollutant emissions since 1990, even as population and GDP have risen. The proclamation applauds the work of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, particularly the Environmental Protection Division’s Air Protection Branch, for advancing air quality improvements through voluntary programs, emissions regulations, and air pollutant monitoring.
- Each day of the week, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection highlighted a new topic related to air quality on its air quality forecast webpage. This included sharing information on asthma on May 5 (World Asthma Day) and resources on Air, Animals and Plants on May 7.
- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) hosted a community engagement session that provided residents, community groups, and other members of the public a chance to meet NJDEP staff, learn about how NJDEP regulates and protects air quality, and discuss questions and concerns about air quality across the state. The agency also shared extensive resources for residents on its Air Quality Awareness Week webpage.
- The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality highlighted its WyVisNet monitoring network, which can help residents understand air quality conditions at home, work, and across the state. The system provides the public with near real‑time air quality information for wildfire smoke, ozone, and routine daily conditions.
