Johnson County is part of a regional air quality monitoring network for Kansas City. Currently the only monitoring location in Johnson County is at Heritage Park (16050 Pflumm Rd. Olathe). This location monitors for two pollutants: ozone and particulate matter.

These monitors sample for various sizes of particulate matter. This includes fine particulate matter which can lodge deep in the lung tissue and some may even get into your bloodstream.

Federal health levels for air quality are set by EPA through the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The NAAQS are comprised of six criteria pollutants, each one having its own health limit: Ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), lead (Pb), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Real time monitoring data from Kansas air quality network