Air Quality

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.

Environmental Justice Subcommittee

The Environmental Justice (EJ) Subcommittee of the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee is currently developing a regional air quality action plan. To inform the plan development, MWAQC has partnered with Equitable Cities to coordinate public outreach.