For the fifth consecutive year, Florida has met all federal air quality standards, according to an announcement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The state is currently the most populous in the country to achieve this milestone.
“Florida’s continued success in meeting federal air quality standards shows that protecting our environment goes hand-in-hand with supporting a strong economy,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “By working with communities, businesses and partners across the state, we’re keeping our air clean, our residents healthy and our economy thriving.”
The Clean Air Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particle pollution and sulfur dioxide. Over the past two decades, Florida’s industrial emissions have dropped by 78 percent and ozone levels have decreased by nearly half. This progress is attributed to ongoing collaboration between DEP and various stakeholders aimed at reducing emissions.
Florida operates one of the largest air quality monitoring networks in the United States. The system includes 180 monitors at 90 locations statewide and meets or exceeds federal requirements for data collection.
Residents can check daily Air Quality Index conditions through DEP’s Air Quality Today webpage or on AirNow.gov.
