This video illustrates our air quality data from across Chicago. Red indicates unhealthy PM2.5 readings and tall columns indicate more measurements collected. So, the taller, redder columns are where we can say with some certainty that air quality is poor.

What is Air Quality Chicago?

In a major transportation and economic hub like Chicago, air pollution comes from many sources, including vehicles, diesel equipment and construction sites. Some of the smallest pollutants, known as PM2.5, are the most dangerous. They exacerbate asthma and other respiratory and heart ailments, and are especially risky to children and the elderly. Until now it’s been hard to find any information on PM2.5 levels at the local neighborhood scale. Air Quality Chicago is working to change that. We aim to actively identify areas of the city with unhealthy air quality, educate and empower communities with their own data, and advocate for solutions to clean up the air for all Chicagoans.

Who is involved?

The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) has partnered with a host of community members, youth and volunteers. Together we empower communities to take part in the data collection process during the summer, using cutting-edge, hand-held AirBeam monitors. We have over five million data points and counting!

Learn More

To see how your neighborhood stacks up click on the Our Data tab above, or check out this video.