Helena Joyce
Air pollution is a serious issue in Wisconsin, with certain areas experiencing higher levels of pollution than others. The state has lower levels of HAP air pollution than the US as a whole, with a statewide average non-cancer respiratory hazard index of 0.2 compared to the national average of 0.3. The primary source of air pollution in Wisconsin is vehicle traffic, with cars and trucks releasing various toxic gases and particles. Diesel engines, in particular, create more pollution than gasoline engines and have been associated with rapid urban growth in northeast Wisconsin. Additionally, the state has 30 ozone (O3) monitoring stations and 19 Particulate Matter (PM2.5) measuring stations, indicating a focus on managing air quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution sources | Vehicle traffic, urban growth, industrial facilities, power plants, forest fires, wood burning, manufacturing plants, fossil fuel-burning cars, trucks, and buses |
| Major pollutants | Ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5), Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen oxide, Sulphur dioxide, Lead, Nitrogen dioxide |
| Health impacts | Heart disease, Lung cancer, Asthma, Stroke, Low birth weight, Premature birth, Reduced lung function, Aggravation of respiratory diseases, Heart attacks |
| Affected demographics | People of color, Lower-income communities, Children, Older adults, People with lung diseases |
| Regulatory actions | Clean Air Act, EPA standards and regulations, Wisconsin's air toxics rule, Lawsuits against EPA, Air quality advisories |
| Monitoring methods | Ozone (O3) monitoring stations, Particulate Matter (PM2.5) measuring stations, Wisconsin DNR measurements, EPA modeling |
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Vehicle traffic
The abrasion of tyres on road surfaces and the action of brake discs/drums cause tiny amounts of PM2.5 to enter the atmosphere. Diesel trucks serving major manufacturers are a particular problem in this region. Vehicle emissions include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particulates, and other combustion byproducts.
According to the 2020 National Emissions Inventory, mobile sources contribute 55% of total emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), the pollutants that form ozone. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that is caused by automobile emissions. High levels are possible near large parking areas, traffic jams, or congested city streets where large numbers of slow-moving cars accumulate around junctions and intersections. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 2020 Air Quality Trends Report confirms decreasing concentrations of most pollutants across the state, with nearly all areas of Wisconsin below the accepted level of 35 ppm.
In urban areas, on-road emissions from cars and trucks are the largest single source of carcinogenic hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). In rural Wisconsin, wood burning is the largest source of HAPs. Overall, Wisconsin has lower levels of HAP air pollution than the United States as a whole.
To improve air quality, individuals can take measures such as taking mass transit or carpooling, biking, and walking instead of driving. Purchasing zero-emission lawn and garden equipment can also help reduce emissions.
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Ozone pollution
Ozone is a toxic gas that is formed when certain emissions react with sunlight and heat. It is often found downwind of cities and is responsible for the smog that is often seen above urban areas. In Wisconsin, the shoreline along Lake Michigan has historically been an area of high ozone pollution. However, this has gradually decreased over the years and is now almost 25% lower than it was two decades ago.
According to the American Lung Association's 2025 "State of the Air" report, air quality has worsened across Wisconsin's metro areas, with an increasing number of days of unhealthy levels of ozone. The Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha metro area has the 26th worst ozone pollution score out of 228 metro areas, with Kenosha, Sheboygan, and Racine counties having the worst ozone pollution in the state.
To address ozone pollution, Wisconsin has implemented several state and federal pollution-control programs aimed at mobile sources, including highway vehicles. The Clean Air Act, for instance, currently regulates the emissions of 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and Wisconsin's air toxics rule goes even further by regulating emissions of close to 500 HAPs. Additionally, there are rules in place to limit VOC emissions associated with the use, storage, and handling of ozone-forming compounds, as well as NOx emissions from stationary combustion sources.
Despite these efforts, a 2021 study from Harvard found that approximately 16.5% of deaths of individuals over 14 years old in Wisconsin are attributable to PM 2.5 air pollution from burning fossil fuels. This highlights the ongoing health impacts of air pollution and the need for continued improvement in air quality.
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Particulate matter
Sources of fine particle emissions include forest fires, wood-burning stoves, power plants, industries, and automobiles. Diesel engines, in particular, emit a significant amount of particulate matter, and their use in northeast Wisconsin contributes to the region's poor air quality. In addition to diesel engines, the abrasion of tyres on road surfaces and the action of brake discs/drums also release tiny amounts of PM2.5.
The health risks associated with particulate matter are especially pertinent for those with respiratory conditions such as asthma and cardiac disease. A 2021 study from Harvard found that in Wisconsin, approximately 16.5% of deaths of people over 14 years old could be attributed to PM2.5 air pollution from burning fossil fuels. Furthermore, people of colour in Wisconsin are exposed to more harmful particulate air pollution than white people due to racist housing policies that have resulted in people of colour living closer to highways, power plants, and other sources of pollution.
To address the issue of particulate matter pollution, Wisconsin has implemented various measures. There are currently 19 PM2.5 measuring stations in the state, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also measures other pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. The DNR's Air Management Program monitors particle pollution and issues advisories when levels become potentially harmful. Additionally, Wisconsin's air toxics rule regulates the emissions of close to 500 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), going beyond the federal regulation of 188 HAPs.
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Racial disparities
Wisconsin has the third-highest racial disparity in the country when it comes to exposure to dangerous particulate matter. People of colour in Wisconsin are exposed to 26% more harmful particulate matter than the state average, with Black residents facing 41% more exposure. This disparity is most pronounced in Milwaukee, but it also persists in other urban areas.
The primary contributors to this disparity are transportation and industrial sources, which account for 58% of the difference. People of colour are exposed to higher levels of particulate pollution from all sources examined, while white residents experience lower-than-average pollution levels from all sources. This includes pollutants from the burning of fossil fuels, such as nitrogen dioxide and lead, which can have serious health impacts.
The disparity in Wisconsin is a result of systemic racism and a legacy of racist housing policies, which have led to people of colour being more likely to live near major sources of pollution, such as power plants, major roadways, and manufacturing plants. These racial disparities in exposure to air pollution hold true regardless of income level, indicating that race is an important factor in exposure across all regions.
The Clean Wisconsin group has been working to address this issue and push for stronger air quality standards to reduce emissions from power plants. They note that air pollution has serious health consequences, including an increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, stroke, and adverse birth outcomes.
Addressing these racial disparities in air pollution exposure requires a focus on environmental justice and equitable solutions. This includes reducing industrial and transportation sources of fossil fuel burning and acknowledging the systemic nature of the problem, where people of colour and pollution have been pushed together due to discriminatory policies and practices.
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Wildfires
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued air quality advisories due to wildfires in neighbouring states and provinces, such as Minnesota, Canada, and California. In June 2023, haze from Canadian wildfires was observed over Milwaukee and Lake Monona in Madison, leading to the worst air quality in Wisconsin in over a decade. The DNR recommended that the public stay indoors to minimise exposure to the harmful pollutants emitted by these fires.
The 2020 wildfire season in the western United States, including states like California, Oregon, and Washington, resulted in smoke plumes that travelled across the country, impacting air quality in Wisconsin and other states in the northeast. During this record-breaking wildfire season, wildfires contributed 23% of surface PM2.5 pollution during August to October in the contiguous United States. This highlights the far-reaching impact of wildfires on air quality and public health, even in regions far removed from the immediate vicinity of the fires.
To mitigate the impacts of wildfire smoke, residents of Wisconsin are advised to stay indoors with windows and doors closed and use air conditioning with high-efficiency filters. Avoiding activities that increase indoor air pollution, such as vacuuming or burning candles, is also recommended. The use of N-95 masks is suggested for individuals who must engage in outdoor activities during periods of high wildfire smoke concentration. These measures aim to reduce the health risks associated with exposure to the fine particulate matter and other pollutants released by wildfires.
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Frequently asked questions
Vehicle traffic is the major source of air pollution in Wisconsin, with cars and trucks releasing a wide variety of toxic gases and particulates. Diesel engines, in particular, create more pollution than gasoline engines.
Air pollution in Wisconsin has been linked to a range of serious health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, stroke, low birth weight, and premature birth. It can also aggravate existing conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
People of colour in Wisconsin are exposed to more harmful air pollution than white people due to decades of segregation and racist housing policies. Over half of the minority population in urban areas live within one mile of a facility that emits hazardous air pollution.
The Clean Air Act, which has driven pollution reduction for over 50 years, has been instrumental in improving air quality in Wisconsin. The state also has its own air toxics rule, which regulates emissions from nearly 500 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Additionally, organisations like Clean Wisconsin have been working to protect air quality in the state since 1970.
People in Wisconsin can access daily current air quality information and maps from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to stay informed about the pollution levels in their area. Additionally, individuals can minimise their personal contribution to air pollution by reducing their use of cars and other fossil fuel-burning vehicles.
