Environment

Air Quality

Breathing polluted air can pose serious health risks. As late as the 1980s, air pollution regularly blanketed the metropolitan Washington region on hot and humid summer days. The region has made tremendous progress in its air quality thanks to more than a decade of actions at the federal, state, and local government levels; however, there is still more work to be done to reduce pollution further.   

COG, through the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC), coordinates regional air quality planning activities, reviews policies, resolves policy differences, and adopts air quality plans for transmittal to the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. MWAQC members include area elected officials, environmental directors, and state air management and transportation officials. COG has also been providing regional air quality forecasts since the 1970s, and its Clean Air Partners program educates people on ways to reduce air pollution and protect their health. 

Featured Content

Air Quality Progress Dashboard

Data showing region's progress in improving air quality. 

What We Can Do to Improve Air Quality in the Metropolitan Washington Region 

Report presenting a menu of options to help achieve no unhealthy air days in the region compiled by COG staff for the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee and the Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee.

News & Multimedia

  • News

    Council of Governments Response to Newly Proposed EPA Ozone Standard

    November 26, 2014

    The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is carefully evaluating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to strengthen...

  • News

    Concerted Action Leads to Major Improvements in Region's Air Quality

    October 14, 2014

    Ground-level ozone concentrations in the Washington region exceeded healthy levels on just four days each of the last two summers, down from 43 such...

  • DaveSnyderQABlogCover-507x315
    News

    Q&A: David Snyder Vice Mayor City of Falls Church

    September 11, 2014

    David Snyder was first sworn in as a member of the City of Falls Church Council in July 1994 and has served as Mayor and Vice Mayor of the City. Snyder who...

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