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• Air Quality
• Indoor Air Quality
• Gypsy Moth Control in Madison
• Pollen Count

Madison outdoor air quality currently meets all National Ambient Air Quality Standards; however, ozone levels are just below these standards. Because emissions from transportation sources are important in the generation of ozone, the continuing increase in vehicle traffic may eventually result in ozone levels greater than the ozone standard. Indoor air quality is less easily monitored. Both indoor and outdoor air quality have been linked to asthma and other respiratory diseases. Increases in asthma and other respiratory diseases in Madison have been identified. While the direct cause of this increase is unclear, efforts to maintain and improve air quality are needed. Madison Department of Public Health (MDPH) continues to have few resources to monitor or respond to air quality problems. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to be the agency responsible for monitoring and responding to outdoor air complaints.

• Scientific research continues to identify indoor and outdoor air contaminants as contributing causes of asthma, other respiratory illnesses, and cardiovascular disease.

• The incidence of asthma in young people continues to rise as shown by the data collected by Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). However, similar increases are also observed in many other communities around the country.

• Older adults are also at greater risk for experiencing health effects due to poor air quality. Hospitalization data for Dane County shows an increasing trend for older adults to be hospitalized for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which includes bronchitis and asthma. Most of these hospitalizations result from smoking-related diseases.

• Madison's outdoor air quality currently meets all National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), including the new, long-term ozone standard.

• Ozone levels continue to remain steady, just below both the short- and long-term ozone standards.

• Calls and complaints to the Department continue to identify localized air quality problems.

• Traffic densities on highway and arterial roads in Madison continue to increase and are a significant source of air pollutants, including airborne particulates.

• Outdoor air monitoring of common air pollutants in Madison is performed by the DNR. Measurement of hazardous air pollutants is not performed consistently.

• MDPH continues to receive more than 200 calls and complaints on indoor and outdoor air quality per year and is working with state and federal agencies to address these problems.

• MDPH enforcement of Madison's smoke-free restaurant law has helped reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. Efforts are currently underway to enact a smoke-free workplace ordinance as well.

Issues

• Regional surface ozone continues to be a threat to Madison's air quality. Transportation sources of ozone precursors continue to increase as Madison and the surrounding communities grow.

• Air quality complaints have increased more than 60% over the last five years; however, funding and staff resources for follow-up of these complaints have remained stable.

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