Air quality directly affects how we feel, breathe, and live
In southwestern Indiana, industrial activity and regional pollution contribute to air quality conditions that can change daily. These conditions can have a significant impact on respiratory health — especially for children, older adults, and people with asthma or other chronic conditions.
SWICQL supports community-based air quality monitoring to make this information visible, understandable, and accessible to residents.
Why Air Quality Monitoring Matters
Government monitoring stations are often spread far apart, which means local air conditions can go unnoticed. Community-based monitoring helps fill these gaps by providing more localized, real-time data.
Our goal is to help residents understand:
❋ what the current air quality is❋ how it may affect health❋ how conditions change over timeLive Air Quality Data
Below is a live air quality map showing current conditions in and around southwestern Indiana. The data is updated in real time and reflects readings from community-based sensors.
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Air quality is often measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which translates pollution levels into categories that are easier to understand.
Higher AQI values generally indicate worse air quality and greater potential health concerns. Short-term spikes may affect sensitive groups more strongly, while long-term exposure is an important public health consideration.
Air Quality and Community Health
Air pollution has been linked to a range of health outcomes, including asthma symptoms, respiratory irritation, and increased risk for certain long-term conditions.
SWICQL’s air quality work is part of a broader effort to understand how environmental exposure affects community health and to advocate for healthier living conditions across the region.
IDEM Monitoring
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management also runs an official monitoring network that includes sites in Southwestern Indiana. IDEM monitors display air quality in near-real time, so air quality index values may be different between SWICQL’s monitoring network and state monitors.