Air Quality Assessment
Check EPA air quality ratings, pollution levels, and health impacts for your neighborhood
Check Air Quality for Your Address
What is Air Quality Risk?
Air quality risk measures exposure to harmful pollutants including particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) rates daily air quality on a 0-500 scale, with higher numbers indicating greater health risks.
The Hidden Cost of Dirty Air
Living in areas with poor air quality reduces life expectancy by 1-3 years on average. PM2.5 pollution alone causes 100,000+ premature deaths annually in the US. Unlike other climate risks that are episodic, air pollution affects health every day you're exposed.
Sources of Air Pollution
- Transportation: Cars, trucks, airplanes near highways and airports
- Industry: Factories, refineries, power plants, chemical facilities
- Wildfires: Smoke traveling hundreds of miles affecting entire regions
- Agriculture: Dust, pesticides, and fertilizer emissions
- Construction: Dust and diesel emissions from development
- Residential: Wood burning, gas appliances, lawn equipment
Why Air Quality Matters for Homeowners
- Health impacts: Asthma, COPD, heart disease, lung cancer, reduced life expectancy
- Quality of life: Limited outdoor activities on bad air days
- Children's health: Developing lungs especially vulnerable to pollution
- Property values: Homes near pollution sources sell for 5-10% less
- Medical costs: Increased healthcare expenses from respiratory and cardiac issues
- Buyer preference: Growing awareness making polluted areas less desirable
EPA Air Quality Index (AQI)
Good
AQI: 0-50
Health Implications
Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk
Recommended Action
Enjoy outdoor activities
Moderate
AQI: 51-100
Health Implications
Acceptable; some unusually sensitive individuals may experience minor effects
Recommended Action
Normal outdoor activities acceptable
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
AQI: 101-150
Health Implications
Children, elderly, and people with respiratory conditions may experience health effects
Recommended Action
Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion
Unhealthy
AQI: 151-200
Health Implications
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; sensitive groups more serious
Recommended Action
Limit prolonged outdoor activities
Very Unhealthy
AQI: 201-300
Health Implications
Health alert: everyone may experience serious health effects
Recommended Action
Avoid outdoor activities; remain indoors
Hazardous
AQI: 301+
Health Implications
Health warning of emergency conditions; entire population affected
Recommended Action
Remain indoors with air purification
Major Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
Tiny particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller that penetrate deep into lungs
Common Sources:
- • Vehicle emissions
- • Industrial facilities
- • Wildfires
- • Wood burning
Health Effects:
Heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, reduced lung function
Ground-Level Ozone
Secondary pollutant formed when sunlight reacts with NOx and VOCs
Common Sources:
- • Vehicle exhaust
- • Industrial emissions
- • Chemical vapors
Health Effects:
Chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, reduced lung capacity
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Reddish-brown gas from combustion of fossil fuels
Common Sources:
- • Cars and trucks
- • Power plants
- • Industrial boilers
Health Effects:
Respiratory infections, asthma aggravation, reduced immunity
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Gas produced by burning fossil fuels containing sulfur
Common Sources:
- • Coal power plants
- • Oil refineries
- • Metal processing
Health Effects:
Breathing problems, respiratory illness, asthma attacks
Areas with Poor Air Quality
California's Central Valley
Primary Pollutants: PM2.5, Ozone
Fresno, Bakersfield, and surrounding areas consistently rank as worst air quality in nation due to geography trapping pollutants, agriculture, and diesel emissions.
Los Angeles Basin
Primary Pollutants: Ozone, NOx
Vehicle emissions and geography create persistent smog. Though improving, LA still experiences 100+ unhealthy air days annually.
Industrial Corridors (Houston, Detroit, Chicago)
Primary Pollutants: PM2.5, SO2, NOx
Refineries, manufacturing, and heavy traffic create pollution hotspots. Neighborhoods near industrial zones face significantly elevated health risks.
Wildfire-Prone Regions (Western States)
Primary Pollutants: PM2.5 from smoke
Seasonal wildfire smoke now affects air quality across entire Western US for weeks or months each year, with AQI regularly exceeding 150-300.
Air Quality Mitigation Strategies
Protect your health and improve indoor air quality
Install HEPA Air Filtration
Whole-house HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles including PM2.5, pollen, and smoke.
$1,500 - $5,000
Very High
Removes indoor air pollutants
Use Portable Air Purifiers
High-quality air purifiers for bedrooms and living areas during poor air days.
$200 - $800 per unit
High
Clean air in key rooms
Seal Air Leaks
Weatherstripping and caulking prevent outdoor pollutants from entering home.
$500 - $2,000
Medium
Reduces outdoor air infiltration
Plant Air-Filtering Vegetation
Trees and shrubs filter particulates and absorb gaseous pollutants.
$500 - $3,000
Medium
Natural air quality improvement
Install Energy Recovery Ventilator
ERV systems provide fresh air while filtering pollutants and maintaining efficiency.
$2,000 - $6,000
High
Fresh filtered air without energy loss
Avoid Indoor Pollution Sources
Eliminate smoking, reduce chemical cleaners, maintain HVAC, avoid gas appliances.
$0 - $500
High
Prevents indoor air degradation
Air Quality Tips for Homebuyers
1. Research Historical AQI Data
Check EPA's AirNow.gov for historical air quality. Look for trends—are bad air days increasing? How many days per year exceed 100 AQI? Visit during different seasons.
2. Avoid Proximity to Major Pollution Sources
Stay at least 500 feet from freeways, 1,000 feet from industrial facilities, and avoid downwind locations from refineries or power plants. Check EPA's EJSCREEN tool for pollution sources.
3. Prioritize Neighborhoods with Tree Canopy
Trees filter particulates and absorb pollutants. Neighborhoods with 30%+ tree cover have measurably better air quality than barren developments.
4. Consider Health Impacts for Your Family
If you have children, elderly family members, or anyone with asthma/COPD, air quality should be a top priority. Medical costs and reduced quality of life can be significant.
5. Budget for Air Filtration Systems
In poor air quality areas, plan to spend $2,000-$6,000 on HEPA filtration systems. This is essential for maintaining healthy indoor air quality.
Check All Climate Risks for Your Property
Air quality is just one of six climate risk factors we track