By 1808Delaware
A new report from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission shows that air quality in Central Ohio brought a mixed picture over the last monitoring season, with some gains in ozone conditions offset by a noticeable decline in fine particle pollution days and a sharp increase in air quality alerts.
MORPC’s End of the Season Air Quality Report examined conditions from November 2024 through October 2025, offering a detailed look at regional trends, the factors driving them, and the practical steps residents can take to protect their health when pollution levels rise.
The most striking takeaway is that the region saw more frequent warnings about unhealthy air. MORPC issued eight Air Quality Alerts during the season, compared to just three the year before. The area also experienced seven days that reached the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” level or worse. Those alerts are based on forecast conditions for the following day, which means the number of alerts and the number of unhealthy days do not always match exactly.
There was one especially notable moment in the data. On June 12, 2025, Columbus recorded an ozone day rated “Unhealthy” for all residents, the first time that had happened in more than a decade. According to MORPC, it was the first such day since 2012.
Overall ozone readings showed some improvement in the “Good” category, with 76 percent of days falling there, up from 72 percent in the previous reporting period. Fine particle pollution, however, moved in the opposite direction. The share of “Good” PM2.5 days dropped from 65 percent to 55 percent, with Canadian wildfire smoke playing a major role in pushing particle levels higher on some of the worst days.
That contrast helps explain why the season felt uneven. Ozone is tied closely to heat and sunlight, forming when emissions from vehicles and industry react in warm conditions. MORPC said warmer-than-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation contributed to higher ozone during the summer months. At the same time, smoke drifting into Ohio from wildfires added a separate layer of concern, especially for people with asthma, older adults, children, and others more vulnerable to air pollution.
“Clean air is critical to the daily quality of life of our residents,” said Brandi Whetstone, MORPC Director of Sustainability. “By providing consistent, data-driven monitoring, we empower our community to take proactive steps to protect their health as environmental conditions change. This information is a vital tool for our communities, helping them stay informed and safe throughout the year.”
MORPC says it continues to expand the way it tracks pollution at the local level. Working with Franklin County Public Health, the agency has deployed 36 PurpleAir sensors across Franklin County to help fill neighborhood-level data gaps and give communities more real-time information about local air conditions.
“Our team is deeply committed to helping Central Ohio navigate the complexities of regional air quality,” said JR Diaz-Hernandez, MORPC’s Air Quality Manager. “Whether through expanding our neighborhood monitoring networks or issuing timely alerts, our goal is to ensure every resident has the information they need to breathe easier. We are dedicated to working alongside local leaders and the public to foster a healthier, more sustainable region for everyone.”
For residents, the message is fairly direct. Pay attention on high-pollution days, especially if you are in a sensitive group. MORPC encourages people to sign up for Air Quality Alerts, reduce vehicle use when possible, and avoid outdoor burning during poor air quality conditions. The agency also points to alternatives such as carpooling, biking, and public transit through its Gohio Commute program.
The larger story in this year’s report is that air quality in Central Ohio remains highly shaped by forces both local and far beyond the region. Traffic, heat, and dry weather matter. So does smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away. The result is a season that showed improvement in one area, deterioration in another, and a reminder that clean air is not something communities can take for granted.
To learn more about regional air quality trends and view the full report, visit Air Quality – MORPC.org
Source: MORPC
