About...

All people benefit from good air quality, but it is especially important to people who may be at a higher risk of being harmed by poor air quality.  These high risks groups can include people with asthma, people with heart or lung disease, or physically active people who exercise outdoors when air quality is poor. 

Air quality can be looked at in two ways:  outdoor and indoor.  Outdoor air quality is affected by different things including temperature, humidity, local pollution and pollution coming from outside of the area.  Two factors that can lower outdoor air quality are the pollutants ozone and particulate matter. 

For more detailed information on Ozone Pollution, click here.

For more detailed information on Particulate Pollution, click here.

For more information on Indoor Air Quality, visit our Healthy Homes Program page.

Program Services

Fortunately, most of the time the outdoor air quality is at a safe level for the general population.  During this time, monitoring of the air is still being done through an organization called the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).  MORPC forecasts and issues air alerts in central Ohio based on Ohio EPA air monitoring information for ozone and particulate pollution.  Their results are on the MORPC website and are measured using an Air Quality Index that rates the quality using a number value from 0 to 300.  The higher the value the more unhealthy the air quality currently is.  For more information on MORPC’s Air Quality Program, click here. At Columbus Public Health, we keep the public informed on the health affects of poor outdoor air quality.  We also suggest some ways to avoid unhealthy exposure to outdoor air pollution.  Generally, you can reduce risks to your health by avoiding intense activity outdoors when ozone and particulate levels are high.  This is especially important for high-risk groups mentioned above.

Who Is The Program For?

This program is for everyone in the City of Columbus and Worthington.

How To Use The Program

Visit Columbus Public Health online and frequently check MORPC’s Air Quality Program web page to keep current on the air quality index levels in central Ohio. 

Location

Columbus Public Health

240 Parsons Ave 

Columbus, OH 43215

Program Publications

Ozone Pollution Information Sheet

Particulate Pollution Information Sheet

Resources and Links

Columbus Public Health Healthy Homes Program (Indoor Air Quality Information)

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Air Quality Program (Current Air Quality Index Information)

US Environmental Protection Agency AIRNow Program

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Air Pollution Control

Contact Us

E-mail your questions or concerns to:  health@columbus.gov