At MKE FreshAir Collective, we believe everyone has the right to breathe clean air — and the right to know when that air is unsafe. We’re proud to release the 2024 Milwaukee Air Quality Report, our most comprehensive look yet at how air pollution affects health, especially in communities already burdened by environmental and social inequities.

This report brings together data from 21 neighborhood-based air quality sensors, local health statistics, and community demographics to help Milwaukee residents, decision-makers, and advocates better understand what's in the air — and what we can do about it.

What’s Inside the Report

Using cutting-edge, easy-to-understand technology, we track tiny particles in the air called PM2.5 — some of the most harmful pollutants when it comes to your lungs, heart, and overall health. The report also includes Air Quality Index (AQI) data to show how clean or polluted the air was across different parts of Milwaukee in 2024.

To make the data more meaningful, each sensor’s results are paired with local community information — like asthma rates and neighborhood demographics — giving a clearer picture of how pollution and health outcomes overlap. This is especially important in neighborhoods long affected by redlining, industrial zoning, and underinvestment.

Why This Matters

Bad air isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a health crisis. Studies link polluted air to asthma attacks, heart disease, lung cancer, and even early death. And across Milwaukee, not everyone is affected equally. Black and Brown communities are more likely to live near sources of pollution and face higher rates of health problems tied to poor air quality.

This report is a step toward change. By sharing this information in a clear, transparent, and community-centered way, we aim to empower residents and inform policies that make our neighborhoods healthier and more just.