Air Quality

Air quality and kids’ growing bodies

Air pollution is all around us. It affects everyone’s lungs, but can be especially harmful for kids living with asthma for two main reasons.

Kids’ bodies are still growing:

Lungs are still growing and can be harmed by pollution more easily.
Bodies are not ready to fight pollutants in the air. The pollutants can cause swelling that can make it hard to breathe, especially for kids with asthma.
Brains are still growing, so damage from pollution can affect their learning and cause behavior issues.

Kids breathe more pollution:

They breathe more air for their body size. When the air is dirty, their bodies will take in more pollutants.
Kids play outside where pollution stays in the air.

Clean air is important for kids so they can breathe easy, stay healthy and grow strong lungs.

Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index (AQI) uses colors to tell us whether the air is healthy to breathe. For each color, there are easy action steps you can take to protect your health. Check real-time air quality on the Love My Air map!

Check Local AQI

Love My Air Wisconsin is a school-based program that provides real-time air quality data to schools via a sensor.

School staff and families can then use the data to make informed decisions about student exposure to poor air quality. Learn more about the Love My Air Wisconsin program by checking out our educational resources.

View Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and health

There are many types of air pollutants. Love My Air Wisconsin focuses on a common and harmful pollutant called particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5).

PM2.5 is tiny solid or liquid particles (like dust, soot or smoke) that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller, much smaller than a strand of hair. This tiny pollutant is a big problem because it can get deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream.

Exposure to PM2.5 can cause:

Symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and headaches right away.
Health problems like asthma, heart issues and brain impacts later on.

It is important to pay attention to health symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing. Think about how air pollution might be affecting you and your child’s health.

What are the other common outdoor air pollutants?

Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Ozone (also called smog)
Particulate matter (or particle pollution)
Sulfur dioxide
Toxic air pollutants

Visit What Makes Outdoor Air Unhealthy | American Lung Association for more info about each of these pollutants.

Who is most at risk from air pollution?

Children and teens whose lungs are still developing
Older adults
People who live and work near busy highways or factories; due to systemic racism and environmental injustice, this tends to be people of color and/or people with lower incomes
People with cardiovascular disease or diabetes
People with lung diseases like asthma

What can I do to keep myself healthy when air quality is poor?

Check the daily air pollution forecast | Check now
If you drive to school, turn off your engine while dropping off or picking up students – idling vehicles give off higher levels of harmful air pollution
Walk, bike or carpool to school
When pollution levels are high, take steps to protect your health:
- Avoid exercising/playing outdoors
- Avoid opening windows
- Keep your quick-relief asthma medication on hand if you are active outdoors
Download the Love My Air Network app
Follow us @chawisconsin for real-time local updates

What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?

The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is used to warn the public when air pollution is dangerous and can be found at airnow.gov. (View AQI table)

What about indoor air?

Outdoor air pollution can get inside! It is important to keep windows and doors closed when the air outside is unhealthy to breathe. Try to use indoor air cleaners and filters to keep indoor air clean. Here are some resources to help:

DIY Portable Air Filter
5 steps to building your own indoor air filter.

Do It Yourself! How to Build a DIY Air Cleaner
A 4-minute video about how to build three different DIY air cleaners.

Clean Air Indoors
American Lung Association’s webpage about clean air at home, work and school.

What is Indoor Air Quality?
Environmental Protection Agency factsheet in English and Spanish.

How is the Love My Air Wisconsin program funded?

In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded us $500,000 for a 3-year project that aims to create a community-based network of neighborhood-level air quality monitoring stations in Milwaukee, focusing on neighborhoods with high asthma burdens. We built the Love My Air Wisconsin program by working with cohorts of 5 Milwaukee Public Schools per year for the 3 years. Cohort 1 (2023) included Allen-Field Elementary School, Browning Elementary School, Hopkins Lloyd Community School, Lincoln Avenue School and Westside Academy. Cohort 2 (2024) included Carson Academy, Hawthorne School, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, O.W. Holmes School and Starms Discovery School. Cohort 3 (2025) included James Madison Academic Campus, Reagan High School, River Trail School, Sherman Multicultural Arts School and Vincent High School.

In 2025, Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin awarded us $250,000 for a 2-year project that includes expanding the Love My Air Wisconsin program into 5 new counties in addition to Milwaukee. We are excited to be growing in Brown, Kenosha, Menominee, Racine and Rock counties through 2027!