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
May 16, 2006
Region's First 'Vehicle Census'...
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October 28, 2005
Area leaders are pointing out the lack of Code Red days this year as evidence of significant progress in improving air quality in metropolitan Washington ....
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May 25, 2005
Members of the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee are sharing innovative local programs as part of an effort to help clean the region’s air.
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December 15, 2004
Air quality in the National Capital Region shows improvement, based on an analysis completed by the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC)....
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November 5, 2004
During its annual meeting, Clean Air Partners honored outstanding employers and individuals in the Baltimore-Washington region such as Prince George County and...