Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District gives air quality update in 2023 report - WAVE 3
Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District gives air quality update in 2023 report
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has released its annual report.
Using the Air Quality Index for 2023, Louisville experienced 187 Good days, 157 Moderate days, 20 days Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and one Unhealthy day.
There was an uptick in poor air quality days compared to the past few years, primarily in June and July during periods of the Canadian wildfires’ smoke impacts.
“Beyond diligently implementing some of the most protective local air pollution regulations in the country, our staff continue to find innovative ways to advance our work,” APCD Director Rachael Hamilton said. “I am proud to share this report and recognize the work of the scientists, engineers, technicians, compliance officers, environmental coordinators, and administrative professionals who spend each day protecting Louisville’s air.”
Below is a list of highlights from APCD:
• Announcing a $1 million award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Ambient Air Toxics and Health Action for the Rubbertown Area, a project to further examine and address air pollution impacts in west Louisville.
• Staff further expanding and refining the city’s air monitoring network, which collected over 55 million data points on Louisville’s air in 2023, including 50 million one-minute data points and 385,000 rigorously analyzed, legally defensible hourly data points, much of which is shared through real-time resources like Louisville Air Watch.
• Supporting low-cost air sensor research and use, including operating a new air sensor collocation shelter, continued research projects with US EPA, performing a sensor study at the site of a proposed Waterfront Park playground, and acquiring funding for an air sensor lending library that will lend equipment to community researchers.
• Signing up 29 businesses and organizations as Air Quality Action Partners, who made commitments to improve local air quality and provided air quality alerts to over 2,700 local employees.
• Celebrating the 20th full year of the Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program, which awarded its equipment grant to YouthBuild Louisville and issued over 450 rebates on electric lawn equipment in 2023, resulting in nearly 18,000 pounds of avoided emissions.
Click here to read the annual APCD report and click here to get the latest on the forecast from the WAVE Storm Tracking Team.
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