Miami Valley Air

MVRPC’s Air Quality Awareness Program provides information about air quality in the Region and activates alerts to notify residents when air quality is expected to be poor. The Miami Valley Region is required by the federal Clean Air Act to have a plan to keep the air clean. One part of the plan calls for residents to take action to reduce air pollution. Many local industries are already doing their part by upgrading their facilities, but everyone’s help is needed to achieve clean air.

Our current regional air quality is

MiamiValleyAir.org provides you with basic air quality and air pollution information for Montgomery, Greene, Miami, Clark, Darke, and Preble Counties in Ohio.

For an interactive map of today's forecast in your area visit airnow.gov.

For the Region's current air quality index by phone, call 937.223.3222.

What is air pollution and how does it affect me?

Air pollution is a combination of ground-level ozone and particle pollution and bad for your health!
There are two types of ozone:

“Good” ozone, known as the “ozone layer,” protects the earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When you hear about scientists working to save the ozone layer, it’s because it provides this much-needed protection.
“Bad” ozone, commonly known as smog, is at ground-level in many urban areas.

On hot, sunny days when there is little or no wind, pollutants from vehicle emissions collect in a stagnant air mass and react in the strong sunlight to form ground-level ozone. Other gasoline-powered items, such as lawnmowers, chainsaws and weed whackers, add to the problem. Ground-level ozone is a colorless, odorless gas produced when emissions from gasoline-powered engines mix with bright sunlight. When inhaled, ground-level ozone can inflame your lungs making it difficult to breathe. It can cause coughing, throat irritation, congestion, chest pains, and aggravate asthma or breathing problems.

Another element in air pollution is particle pollution:

Particle pollution consists of the solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Individually, these particles/droplets are invisible to the naked eye, but collectively, they can appear as clouds or a fog-like haze.

Particle pollution comes from many different sources including wood burning, diesel and gasoline-powered engines, factories, and power plants. This tiny matter, less than 2.5 microns in diameter, is also known as PM 2.5, and can get deep into people's lungs. When inhaled, particle pollution can damage lung tissue, aggravate asthma, bronchitis, and heart diseases - even cause premature death. Asthma is a lung disease. It can be life-threatening. Asthma is a growing threat to children and adults. Children make up 25 percent of the population and comprise 40 percent of the asthma cases. Because children's respiratory systems are still developing, they are more susceptible than adults to environmental threats. For asthmatics having an attack, the pathways of the lungs become so narrow that breathing becomes akin to sucking a thick milkshake through a straw.

What is an "Air Quality Alert?"

The Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) monitors the air in the Miami Valley. If and when air pollution levels are forecasted to be high, an "Air Quality Alert" will be issued by the MVRPC in conjunction with RAPCA.

These notices will be issued the day before air pollution levels are forecasted to be elevated. Remember also, unlike ground-level ozone, particle pollution does not need sunlight to form and can reach unhealthy level at any time during the year. Consider this - colder temperatures result in more wood-burning which increases particle pollution. Therefore, an "Air Quality Alert" may be issued at any time during the year.

What actions can I take to help reduce air pollution?

Try carpooling/vanpooling to work or college. Fewer vehicles on the road mean less air pollution. Call the Miami Valley RIDESHARE Program at (937) 223-SAVE or 1-800-743-SAVE to register for a free match list of potential carpoolers/vanpoolers. Check out miamivalleyrideshare.org and sign up online.
Try riding the bus. A full bus means fewer vehicles on the road causing air pollution. For more information Greater Dayton RTA, Greene CATS Public Transit, Miami County Transit, Springfield City Area Transit
Consider driving an electrical vehicle. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions.
Get your vehicle tuned up. A tuned engine produces lower emissions, runs more efficiently, and last longer.
Mow your lawn and use other gasoline-powered equipment later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and smog is less likely to form. Or, try using battery-powered lawn equipment instead.
Refuel your vehicle in the evening when smog is less likely to form.
When filling up at the gasoline station, don’t top-off your tank. Plus, make sure your gasoline cap fits tightly so vapors don’t escape. A leaking or missing gas cap can cost you money in lost gasoline through evaporation. While you’re losing gasoline, the emissions add to the air pollution problem.
Avoid letting your car idle. For example, turn off the engine while waiting at drive-thru windows. Better yet, park and go inside. During the winter months, there’s really no need to idle to warm up your engine. The best way to warm it, is to drive it.
Plan ahead and combine errands and trips so you can limit cold starts. Delay running errands until evening when it’s cooler and smog is less likely to form.
Walk or ride a bike for short trips. You'll get the double benefit of doing something that's good for the air and for your health.
Eliminate ALL outdoor burning - do not burn leaves, wood or trash. Mulch or compost leaves/yard waste.
Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use. Consider retrofitting wood stoves with a filter or use gas logs instead of wood.
Consider high efficiency/HEPA filters for your indoor heating/air conditioning systems. Reduce the amount of indoor air pollution to alleviate breathing problems.