Overall air quality is based on trends in air emissions. People with asthma, particularly children and the elderly are sensitive to the effects of air pollution emissions. Those who are vigorously exercising or performing outdoor work may be affected. Sources of these emissions include stationary (facilities), mobile (vehicles), and area (households, wood burning). Air pollutant emissions for nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, and sulfur dioxide decreased from the prior years.

 

Radon is the largest indoor air quality concern in Marathon County and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that cannot be seen or smelled so it is important to test homes to determine the amount of radon. Marathon County's geology contributes to the area having some of the highest rates of elevated radon levels in the state. Household radon mitigation systems cost around $1,000.

 

Sulfur dioxides are produced by coal or gas power plants and other industrial facilities such as petroleum refineries, cement manufacturing, paper pulp manufacturing, and metal smelting and processing facilities.

Nitrogen dioxide is a gas produced from cars, trucks and buses, power plants, and off-road equipment exhaust emissions.

Volatile organic compounds react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to produce ground level ozone.

Particulate matter is solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in air. Fine particulate matter, PM 2.5, is particles smaller than 2.5 microns. The average human hair is 70 microns or 30 times larger. PM 2.5 can be emitted into the air from forest fires and wood burning appliances or be present as a result of reactions with other pollutants.