Wisconsin's Air Management Program
The Air Management Program works to maintain and improve Wisconsin's air quality in order to protect public health and the environment.
- There are no Air Quality Notices in effect.
Information current as of 1:37 pm Sunday, March 14, 2010. See NEWS below for explanation of current episode. Refresh - Today's Air Quality - Real-time monitoring of air quality around Wisconsin.
- Air Quality Watch/Advisory - Information about air quality watches and advisories
- Daily Air Quality Hotline - 1-866-324-5924 (1-866-DAILY AIR)
- Visibility Monitoring Camera at Milwaukee [exit DNR]
- Air Management organization and contacts
- For general questions, contact Anne.Urbanski@wisconsin.gov, phone 608.267.0573.
- For specific technical questions, please try our list of staff experts [PDF 350KB] first.
- For Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests: Sandy.Pokriefke@wisconsin.gov, phone 608.266.0248.
- Air Management would like your comments on our Web pages. Please submit your feedback.
Bus on a snowy city street.
Staff monitor the air for pollutants, inspect emission sources, provide compliance assistance to industry, initiate enforcement actions when necessary, operate a permit program, educate the public about air quality, and develop policies to address important issues such as global climate change.
Current Air Quality
News
Explanation of Recent Particle Pollution Episode: Recently most Wisconsin counties have reported elevated levels of fine particle pollution, triggering Air Quality Watches and Advisories. Fine particle pollution is a complex mix of miniscule solid and liquid droplets from many different sources. This recent episode is a result of warm air flowing over snow cover and cold ground which creates a strong temperature inversion and traps pollutants near the ground.
Based on data analyzed so far, the dominant pollutant for these winter episodes is ammonium nitrate, formed in the atmosphere when nitric acid reacts with ammonia. The ammonia comes from multiple sources including animal waste, cars, and waste water treatment plants. The nitric acid is formed in the atmosphere from nitrogen oxides emitted from combustion sources such as power plants, motor vehicles and industrial sources. During these wintertime episodes, there are also elevated levels of ammonium sulfate and organic carbon. Wintertime organic carbon comes from motor vehicles and other sources such as wood burning and sulfur comes from coal burning.
For additional information on protecting your health and taking actions during Air Quality Watches and Advisories for particle pollution, see the Air Quality Notices Media Kit. 3/10/2010
Outdoor Wood Boilers: DNR now has several web pages devoted to the basics of outdoor wood boilers, their potential health impacts, and how to handle and reduce complaints. 2/24/2010
Clean Diesel Grants applications: DNR's Clean Diesel Grant Program is now accepting applications for grants. Applications must be postmarked by March 22, 2010. 2/17/2010
Boiler MACT (Update): DNR to consider requests to further extend the deadline until September 15, 2010 for submittal of Part 2 MACT Hammer applications. Requests must be in writing and should be received by DNR by March 1, 2010 to allow adequate time for review and processing. For more details, please view an e-mail from the Air Bureau Director on this topic. 2/3/2010
Title V Petition Meetings - DNR to hold a series of public information meetings on issues related to Title V air permit petitions recently granted by USEPA. 1/6/10
Air Matters Newsletter (Current Issue - February 2010)
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