Belmont, Ohio Air Quality
Belmont County, Ohio (OH)
↑ Worseningover 9 years
How Belmont, Ohio Air Quality Compares
Belmont, Ohio's median AQI of 31is 24% better than the national average of 41. Air quality has worsened by 14 AQI points over the past decade. The area rarely experiences unhealthy air quality days. The primary pollutant of concern is Nitrogen Dioxide.
Belmont, Ohio Air Quality: The Full Picture
Belmont, Ohio (Belmont County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of B (good, scoring 73 out of 100), built from 9 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI rose 14 points between 2015 (17) and 2023 (31), and the five-year median now sits at 18 — inside the "Good" band on the EPA scale.
The pollutant driving most of the area's AQI readings is Nitrogen Dioxide. In 2023, it set the daily AQI on 111 of 353 monitored days (31% of the year), making it the controlling pollutant for the B grade. The single worst reading logged that year hit an AQI of 181 (Unhealthy), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 54.
In 2023, Belmont County recorded 288 "Good" air days (82% of the 353 days with valid AQI data), 64 "Moderate" days, and 1 days at "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or above. Over the most recent five years on record, monitors logged 1 days that crossed into "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or worse — about 0 per year.
The decade-long trend is worsening: median AQI has been climbing by roughly 0.68 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2020 (median AQI 13), and the most polluted was 2023 (median AQI 31). Because the data come straight from federally certified EPA monitors, these figures track the Ohio county the monitors physically sit in rather than a city boundary.
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10-Year AQI Trend
The solid line shows the median AQI each year. The dashed line shows the 90th percentile (worst 10% of days). Air quality in this area has been declining over the past decade.
Air Quality Day Breakdown
Number of days per year in each EPA AQI category. Green = Good (AQI 0-50), Yellow = Moderate (51-100), Orange = Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Red = Unhealthy or worse (151+).
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Median AQI | 90th Pct | Max AQI | Good Days | Moderate | Unhealthy+ | Pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31 | 54 | 181 | 288 | 64 | 1 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 15 | 44 | 64 | 338 | 22 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2021 | 14 | 53 | 77 | 320 | 43 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2020 | 13 | 40 | 69 | 347 | 19 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2019 | 15 | 51 | 69 | 327 | 38 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2018 | 18 | 48 | 72 | 331 | 34 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2017 | 16 | 48 | 77 | 333 | 32 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2016 | 17 | 53 | 100 | 320 | 46 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2015 | 17 | 52 | 79 | 162 | 22 | 0 | NO2 |
What This Means for Belmont County Residents
Belmont, Ohio has received an Air Quality Grade of B (73/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 31 falls in the "Good" range.
Concerning trends show air quality has been declining, with the median AQI rising by 14 points over the monitoring period. This could be driven by increased development, wildfire smoke, or industrial activity.
The primary pollutant affecting this area is Nitrogen Dioxide. Over the past 5 years, this area has averaged 0 unhealthy air quality days per year, days when sensitive groups (children, elderly, those with respiratory conditions) should limit outdoor activity. The American Lung Association's State of the Air report provides additional context on long-term health risks from air pollution exposure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Belmont, Ohio has a current median AQI of 31, which falls in the "Good" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of B (73/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Belmont, Ohio is worsening over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by +14 points from 2015 to 2023.
Belmont, Ohio averages 0 unhealthy air quality days per year over the past 5 years. On these days, sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions should limit outdoor activity.
The primary pollutant affecting Belmont, Ohio is Nitrogen Dioxide. This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Belmont County area.
Belmont, Ohio averages 0 unhealthy air days per year. This is relatively low, making it a reasonable choice for asthma sufferers. The primary pollutant is Nitrogen Dioxide, which can affect respiratory health.
With a median AQI of 31 (Good), outdoor exercise in Belmont, Ohio is generally safe year-round. Belmont, Ohio averages 0 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.