Discover the Indiana Town With the State’s Worst Air Quality

Indiana isn’t doing so well when it comes to its air quality. It ranks among the worst of all the midwestern states. Today, we will look at the Indiana town with the worst air quality in the state, learn a little about that town, and then compare the state to the rest of the region. Let’s get started.

The Place in Indiana with the Worst Air Quality

According to USA.com’s AQI ranking (Air Quality Index), the Indiana town with the state’s worst air quality is Morgantown, with an air quality index of 55.5. Helmsburg follows with the same index value. When it comes to AQI, the lower the number, the better. A score of 55 is slightly above “good,” which is 50.

The air quality in Indiana can vary depending on the season, weather conditions, and sources of pollution. Some common sources of air pollution in Indiana are power plants, factories, vehicles, wildfires, and dust. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) monitors the air quality throughout the state. Next, they issue alerts when the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups or the general public. You can check your area’s current and forecasted air quality on IDEM’s SmogWatch website. Additionally, you can sign up for SmogWatch alerts since AQI can vary so much, even from town to town.

Also, this ranking is an average, not a current number. The current number can fluctuate by the hour and have influences such as current events or seasonal changes like pollen.

The History of Morgantown, Indiana

Morgantown, Indiana, was founded in 1831 by Robert Bowles and Samuel Teeters. The town’s history began when they laid out 52 lots along Indian Creek. The town was originally a hub for milling that also provided essential services to the surrounding rural area. The town grew slowly until the railroad’s arrival in 1853, which gave it a boost in commerce and population. The Morgantown Historic District has 34 buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Moreover, it appears on the National Register of Historic Places due to its history and value!

Morgantown, Indiana, has a population of 1,014 as of 2020. The town is located at the intersection of state routes 135 and 252 in Jackson Township, Morgan County. The town hosts annual events like the Bean Blossom Blues Fest and the Morgantown Fall Festival.

A Comparison of Regions

Indiana is one of the most polluted states in the US, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Population Review. It ranks first in toxic releases per square mile among the six Midwest states and 27th among all 50 states. Some of the common sources of air pollution in Indiana are power plants, factories, vehicles, wildfires, and dust.

According to the World Population Review, Hawaii has the best air quality in the US, with an AQI of 21.2, followed by Alaska (29.1), Washington (33.5), Oregon (36.1), and Maine (36.5). The states with the worst air quality are California (114.1), Utah (101.3), Nevada (90.7), Arizona (90.6), and Colorado (87.4).

According to IQAir, Indiana has an average AQI of 39 as of April 17, 2023, which is considered good. However, some cities or towns in Indiana have habitually high AQIs. As a result, they pose health risks to residents and visitors. Some of these are:

• Fishers: This city has the highest AQI in Indiana as of April 20, 2023, with a value of 67, which is moderate. The main pollutant is PM2.5; these are fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
• Bloomington: This city has the second-highest AQI in Indiana as of April 20, 2023, with a value of 63, which is moderate. The main pollutant is also PM2.5, which can be emitted from vehicles, power plants, industrial processes, and fires. ⁴
• Jeffersonville: This city has the third-highest AQI in Indiana as of April 20, 2023, with a value of 63, which is moderate. The main pollutant is also PM2.5, which weather conditions and regional sources can influence.
• Indianapolis: This city has the tenth-highest AQI in Indiana as of April 20, 2023, with a value of 57, which is moderate. The main pollutant is ozone, which is formed by a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight. Ozone can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions.

AQI: What it Means and Its Impact

AQI, or Air Quality Index, is a tool that government agencies use to show the public the level of pollution in the air and its potential health effects. The AQI ranges from 0 to 500, with lower values indicating better air and higher values indicating more polluted air.

The AQI is calculated for four pollutants identified from the passing of the Clean Air Act. They are ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. Each pollutant has a different standard of measurement that plays into the overall AQI value. The AQI features six color-coded categories. Each category corresponds to different levels of danger, from green (healthy) to maroon (hazardous).

Where is Morgantown Located on a Map?

Morgantown, located in West Virginia, is a city that houses West Virginia University, known for its art museum and sculpture garden. The college football team competes at Mountaineer Field in Milan Puskar Stadium.

Here is Morgantown on a map: