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
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News
September 24, 2009
This year, there were only four days when ozone pollution reached unhealthy levels for people with lung ailments, children and senior citizens. In 2008, there...
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News
May 13, 2009
Contest winners stress importance of curtailing air pollution and its effects on climate change.
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News
April 15, 2009
Since 2005, vehicle registrations are down in the District, up in Maryland and Virginia.
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News
January 28, 2009
Letter urges EPA to keep Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties grouped with Washington region.
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News
October 22, 2008
Metropolitan Washington meets federal standards for fine particles.