The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is marking Air Quality Awareness Week by highlighting improvements in the state’s air quality. The DEQ’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is collaborating with other organizations to emphasize the importance of clean air for health, the environment, and the economy.
Governor Josh Stein has declared May 5-9 as Air Quality Awareness Week in North Carolina. The proclamation notes several achievements over recent decades:
– For nearly a decade, North Carolina has met every National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
– From 1993 to 2020, emissions of hazardous and toxic air pollutants decreased by more than 100 million pounds, a 79% reduction.
– Between 2005 and 2020, net greenhouse gas emissions fell by 38%.
– Outdoor visibility on hazy days improved by up to 49 miles since 2000.
“Clean air is a critical part of our quality of life and economic strength,” said Governor Josh Stein. “That is why I was glad to proclaim May 5-9 as Air Quality Awareness Week. We’re going to continue to take steps to safeguard our air in North Carolina because everyone needs to have clean air to breathe.”
DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson stated, “At DEQ, we work every day to safeguard our air quality to protect people’s health. As we celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week and the progress our state has made, we’re reminded of the importance of ensuring that every North Carolinian can breathe clean air every day.”
Throughout the week, DEQ will provide information about improvements in air quality and resources about pollutants like particulate matter from wildfire smoke and ground-level ozone on its website and social media platforms. DAQ will also announce regional winners of its annual AQ-IQ contest for seventh-grade students.
Despite significant improvements in air quality across North Carolina, there are still days when pollution levels may affect public health. Residents are encouraged to use the Air Quality Portal for daily forecasts to plan outdoor activities accordingly.
