Air Quality

From the late 1970’s until recently, Jefferson and Shelby counties were classified as a nonattainment area for ground-level ozone by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — meaning that pollution levels exceeded federal limits.

From 2003 - 2005, Jefferson and Shelby Counties met the federal eight-hour ozone standard. However, multiple high ozone days in 2006 put Greater Birmingham on the brink of nonattainment again.

Shelby and Jefferson Counties, as well as a small portion of southern Walker County, are also classified as a nonattainment area for particle pollution.

Commuters and employers can make a difference. We also encourage you to see what Alabama Partners for Clean Air is doing to help and sign up to receive Air Quality Action Day Alerts.