Understanding air quality
What’s in the air?
What are air pollutants?
We all share the air and need it to live. We may not realize how important clean air is and how it impacts our health. Understanding what’s in the air can help us make better choices and make a conscious effort to keep it clean.
There are two kinds of ozone: the good kind, in the ozone layer high above the Earth that protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays; and the bad: ground-level ozone, also known as ozone pollution or smog.
Fine particulate matter is a type of air pollution that can be harmful to your health. It’s especially dangerous for vulnerable populations, like children, elderly and those with respiratory problems.
Wildfire smoke
Sometimes smoke originating from wildfires hundreds of miles away can impact our air quality in the Kansas City. Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of pollutants, including gases, compound mixtures and particulate matter (fine and large).
