It's Air Quality Awareness Week!
Check out each day's topic, explore resources, and get involved! Everyday is a good day to take action--find our pollution reduction tips that you can try during AQAW and beyond!
May 2 – Wildfires & Smoke
- Smoke contains particulate matter (PM), an air pollutant. One way to reduce PM is to choose a cleaner alternative to woodfires, such as a propane or gas fire pit! If you do burn wood, take the following steps to reduce the amount of smoke that it produces:
Only burn dry, seasoned wood
Cover your wood store to ensure that it stays dry
NEVER burn wood on an Air Quality Action Day (Sign up for AQ Alerts or Download the AirNow App)
NEVER burn green wood, construction waste, plastic, garbage, or yard waste.
Learn more about wood smoke from EPA Burn Wise
May 3 - Asthma and Your Health
- Different people may experience air pollution differently. People with lung disease, older adults, people who are active outdoors, children, and those with asthma may be particularly sensitive to air pollution. Learn more about the Criteria Air Pollutants and their health effects.
- If you have asthma, it is important that you know the air quality index so you can take steps to protect your health!
- Do you know of asthma organizations in our region? Connect us with them to provide air quality information!
May 4– Citizen Science & Sensors
May 5 – Environmental Justice & Air Quality
- What is Environmental Justice (EJ)? The Environmental Protection Agency defines Environmental Justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.
- MCAQ EJ Statement:
Mecklenburg County Air Quality is committed to the County’s vision that all people will have an equitable opportunity to thrive in the workplace and community.
As a local air quality agency this means we will work to ensure that all residents have:
• The same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and
• The opportunity for meaningful involvement in the decision-making process to have a healthy environment
Our work must include examining systems, policies and practices through an equity lens ensure our services are equitable and inclusive for everyone.
- One way to ensure you have meaningful involvement locally is to sign up to recieve notice of Public Comment opportunities.
- If this is an issue you are passionate about and want to get involved, consider applying to be a member of the Air Quality Commission, a citizen advisory board to the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners.
May 6– Air Quality Around the World
Our Suttle Avenue offices are open to the public
While you can come visit us, we are still providing full electronic services to save you a trip (driving less is one of our pollution reduction tips)! The resources below are available so customers can conduct business with us electronically or over the phone:
If you are unsure how to proceed, please call 704-336-5430.
Odor from New Indy Containerboard
Summary of Responses
Residents of southern Mecklenburg County may observe sulfur-odors (e.g. rotten egg) related to New Indy Containerboard operations in Catawba, SC. MCAQ continues to work with SC DHEC, NC Department of Environmental Quality, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support the multi-state investigation and monitoring efforts and protect public health. Information about the response to this odor concern is below:
South Carolina Response | Monitoring Data | EPA Response