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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<title>AQI Study</title>
<link href="style.css" rel="stylesheet" />
<link
href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto:wght@400;700&family=Open+Sans:wght@400;600&display=swap"
rel="stylesheet"
/>
<script src="https://d3js.org/d3.v7.min.js"></script>
<script src="seasons.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<!-- Navigation Bar -->
<nav>
<ul>
<li><a href="#introduction">Introduction</a></li>
<li><a href="#data">Data Overview</a></li>
<li><a href="#aqi-heatmap">AQI Heatmap</a></li>
<li><a href="#aqi-overview">AQI Overview</a></li>
<li><a href="#aqi-events">Significant Events</a></li>
<li><a href="#aqi-trends">AQI Trends</a></li>
<li><a href="#comparison">Other Factors</a></li>
<li><a href="#summary">Summary</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
<main>
<section id="introduction">
<h1>
Investigating the Evolution of Air Quality Across U.S. States from
1980 to 2024
</h1>
<h3>Overall Introduction</h3>
<p>
Air quality is a fundamental pillar of both environmental health and
human well-being, though its importance often goes unnoticed. The Air
Quality Index (AQI) serves as a vital tool, offering a clear and
standardized measure of air pollution levels. This index not only
informs us about whether the air is safe to breathe but also acts as a
barometer of the broader state of our environment. Through its
insights, we can discern the effectiveness of policies, track the
impacts of urban expansion and industrial activities, and pinpoint
regions in need of urgent action.
</p>
<p>
Poor air quality, reflected in a high AQI, brings a host of
consequences. It exacerbates respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses,
dims visibility, and accelerates environmental degradation. On the
other hand, a low AQI symbolizes cleaner air, fostering better health
outcomes, bolstering economic productivity, and supporting ecological
balance. The story of air quality is shaped by many forces—traffic
emissions, industrial operations, natural events like wildfires, and
the enforcement of pollution control measures. Each plays a role in a
complex narrative that connects human activity to environmental
outcomes.
</p>
<p>
Examining AQI trends over time allows us to uncover patterns and
progress, offering insights into how policies and societal behaviors
influence the air we breathe. For example, the global slowdown during
the COVID-19 pandemic provided a rare opportunity to observe the
profound impact of reduced human activity on air quality, with many
regions experiencing temporary improvements. Conversely, devastating
wildfires in recent years have underscored the fragility of air
quality in the face of climate change, leaving lingering effects on
health and ecosystems. By analyzing these events, we can better
understand how external factors shape the trajectory of air quality
and what can be done to mitigate future challenges
</p>
<p>
This analysis delves into AQI trends across the United States,
exploring regional, seasonal, and categorical patterns while drawing
connections to weather, population shifts, and significant external
events. Our goal is not just to examine data but to spark awareness
and inspire action. The air we breathe is a shared resource,
connecting us all in its embrace. By raising awareness of the factors
influencing air quality, we hope to empower communities, policymakers,
and individuals to work together in preserving this most essential
element of life.
</p>
<p>
To explore more about air quality and its implications, you can visit
the
<a href="https://www.epa.gov/"
>Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)</a
>
or access interactive resources like
<a href="https://www.airnow.gov/">Airnow</a>.
</p>
<!-- Callout box for key points -->
<div
style="
background: #f4f4f4;
border-left: 4px solid #3498db;
padding: 15px;
margin-top: 20px;
"
>
<strong>Fun Fact:</strong> Did you know that air pollution in the U.S.
decreased by more than 70% since the Clean Air Act of 1970, even as
the economy grew?
</div>
</section>
<section id="data">
<h3>Introduction to the data</h3>
<h4>AQI Dataset From the Environmental Protection Agency</h4>
<p>
The main dataset for this project is obtained from the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality System (AQS) Data Mart,
specifically focusing on Daily Air Quality Index (AQI) data. On the
EPA website, the data is organized by year and into separate .csv
files. We downloaded each file, read the data with pandas, and
combined all the data for each year. The data is available for
download
<a
href="https://aqs.epa.gov/aqsweb/airdata/download_files.html#AQI"
target="_blank"
>here</a
>.
</p>
<p>
The dataset is comprehensive, with hundreds of thousands of entries
per year for each county. Our entire dataset from 1980 to 2024
includes 11,419,415 rows and 10 attributes. To efficiently analyze
trends over time, we grouped the data into meaningful intervals, such
as seasonal averages, yearly averages, and regional summaries. This
allowed us to reduce the complexity of the data while preserving
critical patterns and insights. By focusing on aggregated portions of
the data, such as the average AQI by year or season for each region,
we were able to identify long-term trends without being overwhelmed by
the raw data's size and detail.
</p>
<h4>Key Features of the Dataset:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Location Details:</strong> Includes the state and county
names, along with unique codes identifying each location.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Time Dimension:</strong> Contains the specific dates when
AQI measurements were recorded.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Pollution Metrics:</strong> Tracks AQI values and assigns
them to categories such as "Good," "Moderate," or "Hazardous," based
on their severity.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Pollutant Details:</strong> Identifies the specific
pollutants contributing to air quality, such as ozone
(O<sub>3</sub>), sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>), carbon monoxide
(CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>).
</li>
<li>
<strong>Monitoring Sites:</strong> Provides information on the
number of sites reporting data and unique site identifiers.
</li>
</ul>
<h4>Population Dataset From the United States Census Bureau</h4>
<p>
To understand how population dynamics correlate with AQI changes, we
incorporated population data from the United States Census Bureau. The
population dataset includes population estimates for each state and
region from 1910 to 2020, with a census being conducted once every 10
years. This dataset contains a total of 684 rows and 10 attributes,
offering a comprehensive view of population trends over more than a
century. The data is available for download
<a
href="https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/density-data-text.html"
target="_blank"
>here</a
>.
</p>
<p>
This dataset allows us to analyze trends in AQI relative to population
growth. By combining these two datasets, we can investigate how
factors like population density and urbanization might impact air
quality over time. For example, we explore whether states with
significant population growth experienced corresponding changes in AQI
and whether improvements in air quality were consistent across regions
with varying population trends.
</p>
<h4>Key Features of the Dataset:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Location and Geography:</strong> Includes the full name of
each state, categorized by type as a state or region in the U.S.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Time Dimension:</strong> Contains population data recorded
every 10 years from 1910 to 2020.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Population Metrics:</strong> Tracks the total resident
population, percent change in population, and population density for
each state or region.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Density and Rankings:</strong> Provides population density
figures and ranks states based on their density.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Representation Details:</strong> Includes the number of
representatives assigned to each state, changes in representation,
and the average number of residents per representative.
</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section id="aqi-heatmap">
<h3>AQI Heatmap Comparison: 1980 vs. 2024</h3>
<div class="center">
<iframe
src="interactive_visualizations/aqi_choropleth_1980.html"
width="80%"
height="400px"
frameborder="0"
></iframe>
</div>
<p>
The 1980 AQI Heatmap, as shown above, displays that in many parts of
the county, the average AQI was significantly high, particularly in
the Northeast.
</p>
<div
style="
background: #fff3cd;
border-left: 4px solid #ffcd39;
padding: 15px;
margin-top: 10px;
"
>
<strong>Note:</strong> The 1980 AQI data does not include Wyoming or
South Dakota. These states are excluded from the heatmap due to the
unavailability of data for that year.
</div>
<br />
<div class="center">
<iframe
src="interactive_visualizations/aqi_choropleth_2024.html"
width="80%"
height="400px"
frameborder="0"
></iframe>
</div>
<h4>User Interaction:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
Hover over each state on the map to see the state name and the
average AQI.
</li>
<li>Click on each state to select it.</li>
<li>Click and drag on the map to pan around.</li>
<li>
Click the <code>+</code> and <code>-</code> buttons to zoom in and
out of the map.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
The 2024 AQI heatmap, as shown above, on the contrary has a very
noticeable improvement in average AQI throughout the country. It is
clear that the Clean Air Act, other regulations, and the lockdown in
2021 had a very noticeable improvement in air quality. Especially in
regions like the Northeast, West and some of the South. This
correlates with a study showing that the top three biggest decreases
in air pollution during lockdown in America happened in Washington DC
with -21.1%, New York with -20.7%, and Boston with -18.5%
</p>
</section>
<section id="aqi-overview">
<h3>Overview of the AQI</h3>
<div class="overview-container">
<div class="overview-image">
<img
src="static_visualizations/stacked_bar_aqi_distribution.png"
alt="AQI Distribution Comparison"
/>
</div>
<div class="overview-text">
<p>
These stacked bar charts compare the distribution of AQI
categories (e.g., Good, Moderate, Unhealthy) across major U.S.
regions in 1980 and 2021. Each region is displayed as a separate
bar, with segments showing the proportion of days falling into
each AQI category. The 1980 chart highlights regions struggling
with higher proportions of "Unhealthy" and "Very Unhealthy" days,
whereas the 2021 chart reveals a significant shift toward more
"Good" and "Moderate" AQI days in many regions. The increase in
frequency is the result of more monitoring sites being set up in
some regions, showing improving infrastructure. This side-by-side
comparison underscores the regional disparities in air quality
improvement over time and helps pinpoint areas still facing
persistent pollution challenges. It is a crucial tool for
evaluating the success of regional policies and environmental
management efforts.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div
style="
background: #e3f2fd;
border-left: 4px solid #2196f3;
padding: 15px;
margin-top: 20px;
"
>
<strong>Key Insight:</strong> By 2021, many U.S. regions saw a
significant shift toward "Good" and "Moderate" AQI days, reflecting
successful environmental policies and regulations.
</div>
</section>
<section id="aqi-events">
<h3>
Significant Events and their Effect on AQI Between 1980 and 2024
</h3>
<div class="center">
<iframe
src="static_visualizations/aqi_trends_with_policies.html"
width="95%"
height="500px"
frameborder="0"
alt="AQI Trends with Policies"
></iframe>
</div>
<p>
This chart displays the average Air Quality Index (AQI) trends from
1980 to 2024, highlighting key environmental policies, economic
events, and natural phenomena that have influenced air quality. The
blue line represents the annual average AQI, while labeled red markers
and dashed lines identify specific years and events with significant
environmental impacts.
</p>
<h4>Key Observations:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Montreal Protocol (1987):</strong> Marked a turning point in
phasing out ozone-depleting substances, contributing to gradual
improvements in air quality.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Clean Air Act Amendments (1990):</strong> Stricter
regulations on industrial and vehicle emissions led to a noticeable
decline in AQI during the early 1990s.
</li>
<li>
<strong
>Energy Policy Act (2005) and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
(2011):</strong
>
These policies reinforced air pollution controls, contributing to a
stabilization of AQI levels.
</li>
<li>
<strong>2008 Economic Recession:</strong> Reduced industrial
activity and transportation during the global recession correlated
with improved air quality in 2008.
</li>
<li>
<strong>COVID-19 Pandemic (2020):</strong> Lockdowns and restricted
mobility resulted in a temporary reduction in emissions, reflected
in the AQI dip during 2020.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Canadian Wildfires (2023):</strong> Highlighted by a sharp
spike in AQI, this event reflects the impact of natural disasters on
air quality.
</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section id="aqi-trends">
<h3>AQI Trends Over Time</h3>
<div class="trends-container">
<div class="trends-chart">
<img
src="static_visualizations/most_line_aqi_trends.png"
alt="Top 5 Most Polluted States"
/>
<p>Top 5 States AQI Trends (1980 vs. 2021)</p>
</div>
<div class="trends-chart">
<img
src="static_visualizations/least_line_aqi_trends.png"
alt="Bottom 5 Least Polluted States"
/>
<p>Bottom 5 States AQI Trends (1980 vs. 2021)</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="text">
<p>
This chart illustrates the AQI trends over time for the five most
polluted states and the five least polluted states in 1980. The top
5 states are represented with solid lines, showing significant
reductions in AQI for most of these states, reflecting progress in
combating air pollution. The bottom 5 states are shown with dashed
lines, emphasizing their consistently low AQI levels across both
years. This visualization provides insights into the effectiveness
of air quality improvement measures over time, highlighting states
that have made substantial progress and those that maintain clean
air standards. Policymakers and researchers can leverage this data
to identify successful strategies and areas requiring further
intervention.
</p>
</div>
<h3>Average AQI For Each State Between 1980 and 2024</h3>
<div class="center">
<iframe
src="interactive_visualizations/average_aqi_by_state.html"
width="95%"
height="600px"
frameborder="0"
></iframe>
</div>
<h4>User Interaction:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
Hover over each point to see the state name, AQI value, and AQI
category.
</li>
<li>Click and drag the slider to select each year.</li>
</ul>
<p>
The bar chart reveals key insights into air quality trends across the
United States. States like California consistently show high AQI
levels due to persistent wildfires that release significant amounts of
pollutants into the air, highlighting ongoing environmental
challenges. On the other hand, states such as Hawaii and Washington
often have some of the lowest AQI values, benefiting from factors like
geographical isolation and favorable environmental conditions. An
interesting trend is the noticeable improvement in AQI during 2020,
coinciding with COVID-19 lockdowns, which significantly reduced
transportation and industrial emissions. This analysis underscores the
profound impact of external factors, like wildfires and global events,
on air quality and the importance of continued efforts to address
these challenges
</p>
<h3>Seasonal AQI Trends</h3>
<div id="aqi-trends-container"></div>
<script>
createAQICharts("seasonal_avg_combined.json");
</script>
<p>
This visualization presents separate Air Quality Index (AQI) charts
for each U.S. region in a 2x2 grid layout. The charts illustrate AQI
trends across different seasons for 1980 and 2023, providing a
detailed view of changes over time. For example, the Northeast, which
exhibited the highest AQI levels in 1980—particularly during
summer—saw notable reductions by 2023. This reflects the success of
environmental policies and emission controls.
</p>
<p>
Seasonal patterns consistently show that summer experiences the
highest AQI due to increased ozone formation from heat and sunlight,
while winter exhibits the lowest levels. The unusual spike in AQI in
the Fall of 1980 in the West can be attributed to the Panorama Fire, a
destructive wildfire in California. Regional differences persist, with
the West showing substantial improvements, particularly during summer
and fall, due to better wildfire management and pollution control
efforts.
</p>
<p>
Overall, this layout of regional charts highlights the effectiveness
of decades of regulatory measures while emphasizing the importance of
addressing seasonal pollution and regional disparities to ensure
sustained progress in air quality.
</p>
</section>
<section id="comparison">
<h3>Compare Population Density and AQI</h3>
<div class="center">
<iframe
src="interactive_visualizations/aqi_population_scatter_plot.html"
width="95%"
height="550px"
frameborder="0"
></iframe>
</div>
<h4>User Interaction:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
Hover over each point to see the state name, population density, AQI
value, year and region.
</li>
<li>
Drag the slider to select different years between 1980 and 2020.
</li>
<li>
Click on the radio buttons to filter by region or select all
regions.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
This scatter plot illustrates the relationship between population
density and the Air Quality Index (AQI) for U.S. states between 1980
and 2020. Each point represents a state, color-coded by its region
(Midwest, Northeast, South, or West), with population density on the
x-axis and AQI on the y-axis.
</p>
<p>
Between 1980 and 2020, this scatter plot highlights significant
improvements in air quality across U.S. states while maintaining the
relationship between population density and the Air Quality Index
(AQI). In 1980, states with lower population densities, particularly
in the Midwest and South, exhibited a wide range of AQI values, with
some states having significantly high AQI levels. This underscores how
industrial activities, regional pollution sources, and a lack of
stringent environmental regulations heavily influenced air quality in
less populated areas. Meanwhile, urbanized regions like the Northeast
displayed relatively lower AQI values, reflecting the early adoption
of pollution control measures and infrastructure investments in
densely populated areas.
</p>
<p>
By 2020, the data reveals a consistent downward shift in AQI values
across all regions. The average AQI dropped from 51 in 1980 to 40 in
2020, which can be attributed to decades of regulatory efforts,
including the Clean Air Act, advancements in emissions technology, and
better enforcement of environmental standards. Regions with high
population densities have further improved their air quality,
solidifying the link between urbanization, infrastructure investment,
and effective air quality management. For example, Connecticut had the
worst recorded AQI in 1980 at 86, but it drastically improved to an
AQI of 43 in 2020.
</p>
<p>
Based on the data, we can conclude that although population density
may play a factor in worse AQI, other factors, such as industrial
activity, regional pollution sources, and the effectiveness of
environmental regulations, can significantly influence AQI values.
</p>
</section>
<section id="summary">
<h3>Summary and Additional Work</h3>
<p>
This analysis of Air Quality Index trends across the United States
highlights the progress made to improve air quality over the decades,
along with the continued challenges in certain regions and seasons.
Notable improvements in AQI levels have been realized, with the
Northeast and West registering the most improvements due to the
success of environmental regulations such as the Clean Air Act and
technological enhancements to pollution controls. However, with
climate change concerns in the future and correlations between air
quality and health outcomes, it is essential to continue monitoring
and addressing climate change as a whole to prevent further air
pollution to ensure a healthier environment for all.
</p>
<p>
A number of activities will help ensure that these air quality
improvements are sustained and continue well into the future.
Furthermore, deeper regulation and investment in greener technologies
are needed if pollution levels are to be further reduced. Expanding
the air quality monitoring infrastructure across more rural and
underserved areas will ensure more complete data collection and
targeted interventions. In addition, a reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions and increased urban greenery will help to combat the impacts
of rising temperatures on ozone and particulate matter levels.
</p>
<p>
By prioritizing air quality monitoring and policy intervention, the
United States will continue to protect public health and promote
environmental sustainability for future generations. In the future, we
plan to explore the relationship between air quality and health
outcomes, including respiratory diseases and cardiovascular
conditions. We will also investigate the impact of air quality on
economic productivity and environmental sustainability. By integrating
additional datasets on health, economic, and environmental indicators,
we aim to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the implications of
air quality on society and the environment.
</p>
<h3>References</h3>
<ol>
<li>
Guarnieri, M., et al. “Air Quality Index and Air Quality Awareness
among Adults in the United States.” Environmental Research, Academic
Press, 25 Jan. 2020,
<a
href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935120300773"
target="_blank"
>www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935120300773.</a
>
</li>
<li>
“Air Quality National Summary.” EPA, Environmental Protection
Agency, 16 Aug. 2024,
<a
href="https://www.epa.gov/air-trends/air-quality-national-summary"
target="_blank"
>www.epa.gov/air-trends/air-quality-national-summary.</a
>
</li>
<li>
Kim, Moon-Jung, et al. “Impact of Income, Density, and Population
Size on PM2.5 Pollutions: A Scaling Analysis of 254 Large Cities in
Six Developed Countries.” International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26
Aug. 2021,
<a
href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8430803/"
target="_blank"
>pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8430803.</a
>
</li>
</ol>
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