Since 1974, approximately 2000 industrial facilities in Michigan have been required to report annual emissions of air pollutants. Specifically, criteria pollutants, which includes carbon monoxide (CO), lead, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Maintaining an annual inventory is required by the Clean Air Act.
Emissions data is used for a variety of things in Michigan and is also reported to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for use in the national Air Emissions Inventory.
This webpage contains information on pollutant trends over time. This data is updated on an annual basis.
This graph shows an overall decrease in criterial pollutant emissions over time. All pollutants have shown significant decreases since 1974. This can be attributed to air quality rules and regulations designed to restrict and reduce emissions as well as improvements in technology.
Things to keep in mind when reviewing the following chart:
The graphs included here show each criteria pollutant along with their percentage reductions since 2000. Charts show emissions through 2024.
Things to keep in mind when reviewing the pollutant charts.
Carbon Monoxide has reduced by 44% since 2000.
Lead has reduced by 96% since 2000.
Oxides of Nitrogen has reduced 73% since 2000.
PM10 emissions have decreased 38% since 2000.
Sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased by 91% since 2000.
Volatile organic compounds have decreased by 67% since 2000.
