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Historical Air Emissions Information

Use the information and resources on this page to:

  • learn how to obtain annual emissions summaries from 1995 to 2021;
  • download spreadsheets and see graphs of state air emissions information from 2012 to 2021;
  • download city, county and facility criteria air pollutant information from 2012 to 2021; and

Abbreviations

CO: Carbon monoxide
NOx: Nitrogen oxides
PM: Particulate matter
PM10: Coarse particulate matter
PM2.5: Fine particulate matter
ROG: Reactive organic gas
SO2: Sulfur dioxide
GHG: Greenhouse gas

Annual Summaries

Annual Summaries

Air emission inventory summary information is available from data year 1995 to the present in DNR's air permit search tool.

Detailed Instructions
  1. Go to the Air Management Program permit search tool.
  2. Enter your search information and then click on the "Search" button. The search results will appear on the bottom of the screen.
  3. Click the "Go" link located to the left of a FID number. You will see the facility information, facility contacts, etc.
  4. Use the slider bar located on the right of the computer screen to scroll to the bottom of the screen. You will see the available emission inventory reports.
    • If a number of emission inventory reports exist, you will see a slider bar located to the right of the Emission Inventory Reports area.
Graphs and Maps

The Air Management Data Viewer (AMDV) is DNR's web-based mapping application that provides information about air permitted facilities, facility emissions and air quality monitoring sites in Wisconsin. The viewer also identifies federally-designated nonattainment and Class I areas.

The Department of Health Services offers a web-based mapping application that provides information about Air Emissions in Wisconsin: Wisconsin EPH Tracker.

Health Effects

Visit Air Toxics and Mercury | | Wisconsin DNR for information on air toxics.

Statewide

Statewide Air Emissions

The following information relates to statewide air emissions above reporting levels in Table 1 of NR 438.03, Wis. Adm. Code.

Spreadsheets

Facilities were excluded if no pollutant emissions exceeded their NR 438 reporting level.

Graphs

CO

Wisconsin Carbon Monoxide (CO) Emissions

Health Effects

Carbon monoxide (CO), a criteria pollutant, is a colorless, odorless gas that is emitted by both natural processes and human activity. Although CO exists as a trace constituent of the troposphere, much of human CO exposure that results in elevated levels in the blood is due to incomplete fossil fuel combustion. For more information, visit U.S. EPA's Carbon Monoxide Pollution in Outdoor Air webpage.

Spreadsheets
Graphs

NOx

Wisconsin Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Emissions

Health Effects

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a brownish, highly reactive gas that is formed through the oxidation of nitric oxide (NO). Nitrogen oxides (NOx), the term used to describe the sum of NO and NO2, play a role in the formation of ozone in the atmosphere through a complex series of reactions with volatile organic compounds. For more information, visit U.S. EPA's Nitrogen Dioxide webpage.

Spreadsheets
Graphs

PM

Wisconsin Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions

Health Effects

Particulate matter is the generic term for a broad class of chemically and physically diverse substances that exist as discrete particles (liquid droplets or solids) over a wide range of sizes. Particles originate from a variety of anthropogenic (human-made) stationary and mobile sources as well as natural sources.

Many epidemiologic studies have shown significant associations of ambient PM levels with a variety of human health problems. For more information, visit U.S. EPA's Particulate Matter Air Quality Standards webpage.

Spreadsheets
Graphs

This information does not include emissions from portable sources (i.e., rock crushers, hot mix asphalt plants).

PM10

Wisconsin Inhalable Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10) Emissions

Health Effects

Inhalable coarse particulate matter, also known as PM10 or PM10, is formed by crushing, grinding and abrasion of surfaces, which breaks large pieces of material into smaller pieces. The particles are then suspended by the wind or by anthropogenic (human) activity.

Many studies have shown significant associations of ambient PM10 levels with a variety of human health problems. For more information, visit U.S. EPA's Particulate Matter Basics webpage.

Spreadsheets
Graphs

PM2.5

Wisconsin Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Emissions

Health Effects

Fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5, is formed primarily through combustion processes. Sources of the precursor pollutants that chemically react to form fine particles (nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, organic carbon and ammonia) include power plants, industries, automobiles, forest fires and wood stoves. The particles are then suspended in the air by the wind.

Fine particle pollution can have significant health risks. Exposure to fine particles can affect both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. For more information, visit U.S. EPA's Particulate Matter Basics webpage.

Spreadsheets and Graphs

For information on PM2.5 emissions, please contact the Emissions Inventory Coordinator at DNRAMEmissionsInventory@wisconsin.gov

ROG

Wisconsin Reactive Organic Gas (ROG) Emissions

Health Effects

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or Reactive organic gases (ROG) are precursors to the formation of ozone (O3) near ground level. A wide array of health effects have been attributed to short-term (1 to 3 hrs.), prolonged (6 to 8 hrs.) and long-term (months to years) exposures to ozone. For more information, visit U.S. EPA's Health Effects of Ozone Pollution webpage.

Spreadsheets
Graphs

SO2

Wisconsin Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Emissions

Health Effects

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a rapidly diffusing reactive gas that is quite soluble in water. It is mainly emitted from combustion or processing of sulfur-containing fossil fuels and ores.

At elevated concentrations, SO2 can adversely affect human health, vegetation and materials. For more information, visit U.S. EPA's Sulfur Dioxide Pollution webpage.

Spreadsheets
Graphs

Lead

Wisconsin Lead Emissions

Health Effects

Once taken into the body, lead distributes throughout the body in the blood and is accumulated in the bones. Depending on the level of exposure, lead can adversely affect the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems and the cardiovascular system. Lead exposure also affects the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. The lead effects most commonly encountered in current populations are neurological effects in children and cardiovascular effects (e.g., high blood pressure and heart disease) in adults. Infants and young children are especially sensitive to even low levels of lead, which may contribute to behavioral problems, learning deficits and lowered IQ. For more information, visit U.S. EPA's Learn about Lead webpage.

Spreadsheets
Graphs

GHG

Wisconsin Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The EPA defines greenhouse gases (GHG) as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and flourinated gases. Of the EPA GHG pollutants, Table 1 of NR 438, Wis. Adm. Code, includes carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and hydrofluorocarbons. Of those listed in NR 438, only carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide have been reported above reporting thresholds. However, reported methane emissions have been included too in order to be consistent with the EPA GHG definition.

Spreadsheets
Graphs