Scientists in Wisconsin study how air quality relates to health across the state. They use ground-based monitors, satellite observations, and computer models, to understand how pollution varies over time and place. These tools help researchers compare patterns observed in larger cities like Milwaukee and Madison with smaller cities and rural areas.

The map above shows fine particle air pollution across Wisconsin counties in 2023. For more information: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5142

Wisconsin tracks air quality across cities, small towns, farming areas, forests, and tribal lands. The state’s monitoring network places instruments in different locations to measure specific pollutants and fill gaps in the data landscape.

The map above shows annual fine particle (PM₂.₅) levels from 2021–2023 at each monitoring site. For more information: https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5f239fd3e72f424f98ef3d5def547eb5&extent=-146.2334,13.1913,-46.3896,56.5319

Scientists are seeing patterns linked to highways, industrial areas, farming activity, and air moving across state lines. In recent years, wildfire smoke from other states and Canada has also become an important factor, since smoke can travel long distances and affect air quality far from the fire. Future studies aim to better understand where these patterns occur and how they may affect nearby communities.

For more information: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06522-6

Research shows that air conditions can affect people and places in different ways, including:

• Making breathing and heart problems worse for some people
• Affecting crops, soil, and natural areas
• Leading to higher health care needs in some communities
• Creating added healthcare costs and challenges for families and local services

Scientists believe that good decisions start with clear, reliable data. By studying patterns across the state and learning from past research, they aim to provide information that communities and decision-makers can use to better understand air quality concerns across Wisconsin.