Air Quality in Cincinnati, Ohio: What You Need to Know

With all the health information available today, you probably pay close attention to the food you eat–if it’s organic or local, the amount and type of exercise you’re getting, and how many hours you’re sleeping. But when was the last time you thought about the quality of the air you’re breathing?

Indoor air quality is easily controllable through air filtration and cleaning, but what about outdoor air quality? How is it measured, and where does Cincinnati, OH stand? In today’s blog post, Air Authority explains how air quality is measured, the air quality of Cincinnati through the years, and what you can do to reduce outdoor air pollution and its effects.  

How is Outdoor Air Quality Measured? 

Outdoor air quality is measured using the AQI–Air Quality Index. AQI is a scale of 0-500, with the 0-50 range considered “good” and the 301-500 range considered “hazardous.” Most significant cities fall in between these ranges, and air quality fluctuates every day. 

The data that informs these measurements comes from both instruments on the ground and satellites orbiting the Earth, such as NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites.  

AQI measures the five major air pollutants:

• Ground-level ozone
• Carbon monoxide
• Sulfur dioxide
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Airborne particles, or aerosols

Outdoor Air Quality in Cincinnati, Ohio

So what is the outdoor air quality like in Cincinnati, OH, and how does it compare to other major cities? It’s important to note the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuates day-to-day, so you can go online and check AirNow.gov and enter your zip code for a daily report.  

According to the American Lung Association, Cincinnati is ranked #11 in the 25 most polluted cities for year-round particle pollution. However, there is good news in a recent 2021 report that Cincinnati’s overall ozone levels have decreased, with “fewer unhealthy days.”  

Related Post: Does Indoor Air Quality Have an Effect on Lung Infections?

What Can You Do To Improve Air Quality?

According to the EPA, there are several ways you can personally impact the air quality in your area:

• Carpool/reduce vehicle use
• Eliminate wood-burning stoves and fireplaces
• Avoid burning leaves and trash
• Limit the use of gas-powered lawnmowers and other equipment
• Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying a home or office equipment

If the AQI is at an unhealthy level on a particular day, you can opt to stay inside if possible. To ensure you are breathing as much clean indoor air as possible, change your HVAC filters regularly and purchase an electronic air purifier if needed. Our experts at Air Authority are available to come and assess the air quality inside your home. 

Air Authority is Ready to Help

The expert technicians at Air Authority care about your air quality! If you need assistance with air filtration or HVAC repair and maintenance, call us today at 513-229-0789, or contact us online.