At more than 50 locations around the state, the MPCA's air monitors continually measure pollutants to help improve and protect outdoor air. With this data, the agency can track pollution trends over time and show if outdoor air meets air quality standards and health benchmarks.
Network plan
The Air Monitoring Network Plan summarizes the MPCA's primary air monitoring activities, proposes changes for the upcoming year, and assesses whether sites meet federal and state air quality standards.
2026 network plan
Mobile air monitoring station
The MPCA can quickly deploy the mobile air monitoring station to areas where short-term monitoring is necessary. This strengthens how the state investigates air quality complaints, supports permitting work, and provides timely data.
Community air monitoring
In addition to the regulatory network, the MPCA conducts additional monitoring to understand how air quality affects specific communities, especially in areas that experience disproportionate impacts of pollution. In 2013, the Community Air Monitoring project placed monitoring equipment for a few months at a time to learn more about ambient air. As more accessible and mobile technology develops, we plan to continue learning about air quality in different neighborhoods through sensors that can be deployed more easily throughout the state.
Criteria pollutant data explorer
Minnesota monitoring data for six common air pollutants compared to national standards set by U.S. EPA.