Kiera Jefferson
Louisville, Kentucky, has a history of struggling to meet federal air quality standards. The city's air quality is monitored by the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD), which has identified ground-level ozone and particle pollution as two of the main pollutants affecting the area. In 2023, it was reported that Louisville and the surrounding counties had mostly failed to meet federal standards for ozone over the previous 20 years, with the city ranking 39th worst in the nation for ozone pollution. However, there have been recent improvements, and Louisville's APCD is working to prove to the EPA that the region is meeting ozone standards, with data showing a downward trend in ozone formation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | 52 (Moderate) as of 2021 |
| AQI Categories | Good (0-50), Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Unhealthy (151-200), Very Unhealthy (201-300), Hazardous (301-500) |
| Criteria Pollutants | Ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide |
| Louisville's AQI for Criteria Pollutants | PM2.5 - 12.8 µg/m³, PM10 - 27.1 µg/m³, ozone (O3) - 3 µg/m³, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - 59.8 µg/m³, sulphur dioxide (SO2) - 0.8 µg/m³, carbon monoxide (CO) - 692.7 µg/m³ |
| National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) | Set through the Clean Air Act |
| Louisville's Status for NAAQS | Has not met federal standards for ozone in the last 20 years |
| EPA Ozone Standard | 70 parts per billion |
| Louisville's Ozone Level | 69 parts per billion |
| Fine Particle Pollution NAAQS | 9 µg/m³ |
| Louisville's Status for Fine Particle Pollution NAAQS | Not yet designated |
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Ground-level ozone
The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) monitors the Air Quality Index (AQI) to determine the impact of air quality on health and whether the area meets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Louisville is currently designated as ""non-attainment" for ground-level ozone, as per APCD's monitoring data from 2019-2021. This means that the area's air quality does not meet the national standard.
To improve air quality, states with non-attainment areas must develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to outline measures for reducing emissions and improving air quality. Once a non-attainment area meets the standards, the EPA designates it as a "maintenance area." Louisville is currently applying for redesignation to "attainment" status for ground-level ozone.
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Particle pollution
Louisville, Kentucky, has a problem with particle pollution, which is made up of tiny particles known as PM2.5 and PM10. These particles are so small that they can be inhaled and enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues. In 2016, the EPA identified that Louisville had unacceptably high levels of toxic chemicals in the air, and the American Lung Association ranked the region around Louisville 21st out of 25 of the nation's most polluted cities for year-round particle pollution. This ranking was based on data from 2014 to 2016, which showed high levels of pollution from vehicle exhausts, dust, and soot.
The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is responsible for monitoring and enforcing federal, state, and local air pollution laws and regulations in the city. The APCD uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to communicate the impact of air quality on health and determine whether the area meets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The AQI is calculated using data from six monitoring stations throughout Louisville Metro, measuring five criteria pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
In 2021, Louisville's air quality was classified as "Moderate," with a US AQI figure of 52. While this is within the acceptable range for public health, it still indicates a level of pollution that could pose potential health risks, especially for sensitive individuals. The AQI values are colour-coded, with "Good" being 1-50 and "Hazardous" 301-500.
To improve air quality and reduce particle pollution, Louisville has implemented various regulations and programs. For example, the Strategic Toxic Air Reduction Program (STAR) was established in 2005 to address toxic air emissions in the city. Additionally, the Clean Air Act, a federal law governing air pollution, requires each state to develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to achieve and maintain NAAQS. Despite these efforts, Louisville still faces challenges in meeting federal standards for particle pollution, and it will be interesting to see the city's progress in the coming years.
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Carbon monoxide
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used to communicate the impact of air quality on health. It is calculated using the air monitoring data of the six criteria pollutants mentioned above. The AQI represents the amount of an air pollutant on a scale from 0 to 500, with higher values indicating greater pollution levels and potential health risks. While there is no "healthy" amount of air pollution, an AQI value below 100 is generally considered acceptable for public health.
Louisville's AQI values are measured through the APCD's monitoring network and shared through Louisville Air Watch. As of September 3, 2025, the current carbon monoxide level in Louisville, Kentucky, is 0.161 ppm. While this value falls within the acceptable range, it still contributes to the overall air quality, which is currently rated as "Moderate."
To improve air quality and reduce carbon monoxide levels, Louisville has implemented various regulations and programs. For example, the Strategic Toxic Air Reduction (STAR) program was established in 2005 to address the high levels of toxic chemicals in the air. Additionally, the Clean Air Act requires each state to develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to achieve and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards are set by the EPA and are monitored by the APCD to ensure Louisville's air quality meets the necessary health and environmental guidelines.
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Nitrogen dioxide
Louisville, Kentucky, has a problem with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution. This pollutant is one of six criteria pollutants monitored by the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to determine the Air Quality Index (AQI) and whether the area meets National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The other criteria pollutants are ground-level ozone (O3), particle pollution (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and lead (Pb).
The Clean Air Act requires each state to develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to outline how it will achieve and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) enforces federal, state, and local air pollution laws and regulations in Louisville. The APCD's regulatory authority for air pollution control is authorized through KRS Chapter 77, and it has implemented regulations such as the Strategic Toxic Air Reduction Program (STAR) to address toxic air emissions in the city.
Louisville's air quality has improved over the years, but issues remain, particularly in the western and southern areas of the city. The University of Louisville is actively studying the impact of trees on health and is working on an experiment to plant trees in a neighbourhood to study their effects on heart health, diabetes, and obesity. Additionally, individuals can monitor the daily amount of air pollution and choose to stay indoors or take other precautions when the air quality is poor.
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Sulphur dioxide
Louisville, Kentucky, has historically struggled with poor air quality, with the American Lung Association ranking the region 21st out of the nation's 25 most polluted cities for year-round particle pollution in a study from 2014 to 2016. The city's air pollution issues are largely due to its dependence on coal for electricity, with coal plants emitting a wide array of pollutants.
One particular pollutant that Louisville has been struggling to meet federal standards for is sulphur dioxide (SO2). Sulphur dioxide is a gaseous air pollutant composed of sulphur and oxygen. It is formed when sulphur-containing fuels such as coal, petroleum oil, or diesel are burned. Sulphur dioxide gas can also change chemically into sulphate particles in the atmosphere, a major component of fine particle pollution, which can be blown over long distances.
The high levels of sulphur dioxide in Louisville have had notable impacts on the health of its residents. A study by researchers from Columbia University found that there were nearly 400 fewer hospital admissions or emergency room visits for asthma attacks in the year following the closure of the Cane Run facility and the installation of pollution controls. The researchers also found a 17% drop in inhaler use by asthma patients in the month after additional scrubbers were installed at Mill Creek in 2016.
While Louisville has made progress in reducing sulphur dioxide pollution, it continues to be a health concern. The city's air quality is monitored by the APCD, which works to enforce federal, state, and local air pollution laws and regulations. The Clean Air Act, a federal law that governs air pollution, requires the establishment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Louisville's attainment of these standards is determined by monitoring criteria pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, through a network of monitoring stations.
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Frequently asked questions
Louisville has not been meeting federal standards for ground-level ozone and particle pollution. In 2023, it was reported that the city and surrounding counties have mostly failed to meet federal standards for ozone in the last 20 years. However, there has been a downward trend in ozone formation in recent years, and Louisville's Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has been working to improve air quality.
Louisville Gas & Electric has plans to shut down multiple coal-fired generating units, which contribute excess amounts of nitrogen oxides that contribute to ozone pollution. In addition, the APCD has proposed regulatory programs such as the Strategic Toxic Air Reduction Program (STAR) to address toxic air emissions and reduce emissions of toxic air pollution.
Air pollution, particularly ground-level ozone and particle pollution, can have significant health risks. The American Lung Association has documented that ozone pollution shortens people's lives and increases health risks, especially for those with asthma and other respiratory diseases. Louisville has some of the highest rates of asthma in the country, with the city ranking fifth in emergency department visits for asthma. Particle pollution can also be extremely dangerous and even deadly, with short-term spikes in particle pollution impacting vulnerable communities, including older adults, children, and communities of color.
