Category: Blog

When we think about summer hazards, sunburns and heat waves may come to mind first. But there’s another invisible danger that can take a serious toll on our health — air pollution. Ozone and particle pollution are more than just environmental concerns; they affect how we breathe, how our bodies function and even how long we live. While everyone is impacted to some degree, certain groups are far more vulnerable to the harmful effects of polluted air.

Data from the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report shows that 156.1 million people — about 46% of the U.S. population — are living in places that get failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is nearly 25 million more people breathing unhealthy air compared to last year’s report and more than in any other “State of the Air” report in the last 10 years.

Children and older adults remain among the most physically vulnerable, with 34.6 million children under the age of 18 and some 25.2 million adults over 65 living in counties that received an “F” grade for at least one pollutant. People living with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease and even lung cancer survivors also face heightened risks. Pregnant individuals are not immune either, as more than 1.7 million pregnancies in 2023 occurred in counties that failed at least one measure. Of those, close to 453,000 were in counties that received failing grades for all three measures.

The report also makes clear that the burden is not evenly shared. People living in poverty often reside closer to pollution sources and have fewer options for relocation or access to health care. Approximately 19 million people with incomes at or below the federal poverty level live in counties with at least one failing grade, and nearly 5.7 million live in areas failing all three. Racial disparities are equally troubling with people of color making up just over 41% of the U.S. population, yet 78.3 million live in counties with at least one failing grade for ozone and/or particle pollution, and more than 26 million live where all three measures received failing grades.

To help residents safeguard their health, the Clean Air Partnership issues color-coded daily air quality forecasts throughout the summer months and into the fall so people can know ahead of time if the next day’s air quality calls for limiting outdoor activity. Staying informed is important as unhealthy air days can still occur during the cooler months, making continued awareness crucial for protecting your health.

By checking the forecast, making small adjustments to daily routines and supporting local clean air initiatives, we can protect our most vulnerable neighbors — and ourselves. For more tips to help clear the air this summer and beyond, visit CleanAir-StLouis.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.

As a national leader in environmental mitigation and water resource solutions, Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) is at the forefront of using nature-based approaches to restore and protect ecosystems. With sustainability rooted in its mission and vision, RES is making significant contributions to environmental stewardship and climate resilience, efforts that the Clean Air Partnership is proud to recognize.  

As a Leader Level participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, RES implemented several impactful green infrastructure initiatives across the St. Louis area. In the Hyde Park neighborhood, the company supported the Be Well Café — a community-focused eco-artisan job incubator — by installing rain gardens, a permeable plaza space and an outdoor café terrace that combines environmental function with community amenities. At KIPP Triumph Academy, RES constructed rain gardens, green space, a nature play area and installed rain barrels to help foster environmental awareness and stewardship among students. Additionally, RES donated more than 250 native plants to local community organizations to enhance biodiversity and promote sustainable landscaping. 

“RES is proud that our mission of providing resiliency through restoration is benefiting the City of St. Louis,” said Tim Moritz, Regional Client Solutions Manger for RES. “RES green infrastructure projects for MSD prevent flooding and improve water quality, furthering our mission. Joining the Green Business Challenge has helped us better align with other community members who want to share our mission to increase resiliency in the metro area.” 

During the Challenge year, RES was also active in outreach and workforce development. The company participated in the Green Community Workforce Development partnership and contributed to climate education efforts by tabling at the Archdiocese of St. Louis Climate Symposium, the first event hosted by the Laudato Si Commission dedicated to creation care through climate action. 

Further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, RES has taken significant steps to reduce its environmental footprint internally. By allowing most of its St. Louis employees to work from home, the company eliminated 39,000 commuting miles, saving approximately 1,480 gallons of fuel and preventing around 15 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere. Additionally, more than 80% of the construction materials used by RES are manufactured within a 50-mile radius of St. Louis, reducing transportation-related emissions and supporting the local economy. 

For more information about RES and how your organization can get involved in the Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @gatewaycleanair. 

Midwest Recycling Center (MRC) is a leading electronics recycling company serving businesses, schools, hospitals, government agencies and nonprofits across the region. With the most current R2v3 and RIOS certifications, MRC demonstrates a firm commitment to sustainable recycling practices, quality management and environmental responsibility, which helped earn them recognition in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge. 

As part of the Challenge, MRC highlighted its Champion Innovation Project: a series of E-Waste Collection Events designed to offer residents a convenient, responsible way to dispose of unwanted electronics. Staffed by trained professionals and equipped to manage everything from traffic flow to unloading vehicles, these events were held at various community locations, with 90 hosted in total — 68 in the Imperial/St. Louis area and 22 in the Kansas City region. During these events, MRC successfully collected and processed more than 1 million pounds of electronic waste, including 1,500 CRT televisions, 776 appliances containing freon and 2,028 printer units. By diverting this material from toxic landfills, the company helped reduce air pollution risks and supported healthier, more sustainable communities. 

“The opportunities we have to serve communities with convenient, affordable and responsible E-Waste recycling enhance MRC’s reputation as a trusted partner in regional environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts,” said Greg Cooksey, Sr. Director of Business Development & Compliance Officer of MRC. “We appreciate how Green Business Challenge connections help us maintain and grow our service capacity.” 

MRC offers comprehensive electronics recycling solutions that span everything from small devices like cell phones to large appliances such as refrigerators. Any item with a battery or power cord is eligible for recycling or repurposing through their services. In addition, MRC prioritizes data protection with advanced security protocols, including hard drive shredding and certified data destruction, helping clients and their customers avoid identity theft. 

These collection events also played a key role in public education. Through strong partnerships with local governments and organizations, MRC was able to demonstrate the environmental importance of proper electronics recycling while strengthening community relationships and promoting a shared vision for sustainability. This combination of outreach, environmental action and collaboration has solidified MRC’s standing as a valued partner in regional sustainability efforts. 

The Clean Air Partnership is proud to celebrate companies like Midwest Recycling Center that actively promote cleaner air by embracing meaningful sustainability practices. For more information on MRC and how your organization can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the Challenge’s bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair. 

Citizens for Modern Transit and the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership are heading into the home stretch of their summerlong “No Red Day” campaign. To date, more than 440 individuals have registered to receive a FREE Metro Adventure Day Pass to give transit a try, especially on really hot days, as rising temperatures and transportation-related emissions combine to create dangerous levels of ozone air pollution.

There have been no “Red” – or unhealthy – air quality days reported yet this summer, and with peak ozone season wrapping at the end of this month, our campaign will conclude then as well.

Help us finish strong by continuing to take MetroLink and MetroBus to get to school, work, appointments, sports and entertainment venues, and everywhere else you need to go. Forgoing a personal vehicle, even if it’s just occasionally, can make a big impact.

Learn more at www.NoRedDay.com. Free passes are available to new registrants through August 31.

Together, we can do our share for cleaner air and prevent a red day from happening.

Scientific evidence continues to reinforce what many communities are experiencing firsthand: climate change is making it increasingly difficult to protect public health. While these threats pose serious long-term concerns, their effects are already evident today. Rising global temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns are fueling higher levels of air pollution — particularly ozone air pollution — leading to more frequent and severe unhealthy air days.

According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, more than 125 million people — about 37% of the U.S. population — were exposed to unhealthy levels of ozone pollution during the years 2021–2023. This worsening trend is largely fueled by climate-related conditions like extreme heat, droughts and wildfires. Together, these factors are not only driving up pollution levels but also making it harder for cities and states to reduce emissions and meet clean air goals.

Here in the St. Louis region, ozone pollution remains a persistent challenge. Several days this summer have been classified as “yellow” (moderate), which poses concerns for those with respiratory issues or heightened sensitivity to polluted air. The region has also experienced at least one “orange” day, when air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups and potentially the general public. In recent years, wildfire smoke drifting from Canada and the West Coast has triggered some of the worst air quality events on record, impacting cities nationwide, including New York, Chicago and St. Louis.

While everyone is affected by poor air quality, certain groups are especially vulnerable. Children, older adults, people with asthma or other lung conditions, pregnant individuals, and those who work or exercise outdoors face a higher risk of serious health impacts. For these individuals in particular, it’s important to monitor daily air quality and take precautions when pollution levels are elevated.

To help keep residents informed and safe, the Clean Air Partnership issues daily, color-coded air quality forecasts during the summer months. These forecasts provide a clear snapshot of what the air will be like the next day and offer guidance on whether people should limit outdoor activity. With the ozone season in full swing, these updates are an essential resource for helping the public reduce exposure and minimize health risks.

Additionally, our “No Red Day” campaign with Citizens for Modern Transit is running through the end of August, encouraging individuals to ride MetroLink and MetroBus to get to school, work, appointments, sporting events, entertainment venues and everywhere else they need to go. The goal is to help reduce emissions and prevent a red air quality day from happening in the region. Area residents can still visit NoRedDay.com to register for a FREE Metro Adventure Day Pass (a $5 value), which provides unlimited rides on the transit system for a day of their choice.

For more information, visit CleanAir-StLouis.com, like us on Facebook or follow @gatewaycleanair on X.

The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is making waves with its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The St. Louis Aquarium is a 120,000-square-foot facility, filled with more than 13,000 aquatic animals across 44 exhibits, including a 250,000-gallon shark habitat. As a proud participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, the Aquarium has embraced a hands-on approach to reducing its environmental footprint while inspiring guests to live more sustainably.

“Here at the St. Louis Aquarium, we aim to educate and inspire our guests by bringing them surprisingly close to nature,” said Connor Murray, guest experience supervisor and green team chair member for the St. Louis Aquarium. “We humans share this water planet with some incredible plants and animals, and being a better neighbor with them is surprisingly easy — and intuitive! We’re grateful to the Challenge for helping us explore new ways to engage our guests around living sustainably.”

Throughout the 2024 Challenge, the Aquarium initiated several impactful projects across its operations. It revitalized its Rain Garden, earning certification as a National Wildlife Habitat. The organization also switched to recyclable receipt paper in its ticketing offices and responsibly recycled more than 1,000 pounds of materials over the past year. Additionally, internal systems saw sustainable upgrades, including a reorganized and streamlined staff recycling area to improve access and participation.

The Aquarium’s dedication to innovation even extended to guest-focused sustainability efforts. The Guest Experience team launched a crayon melting initiative, repurposing used crayons to help reduce landfill waste and create fun, eco-conscious souvenirs. In another creative reuse project, retired Team Member shirts were transformed into t-shirt bags during a Friends and Family event. Furthermore, the Life Sciences’ water reclamation process has saved millions of gallons of water per year for future reuse, aiding in the organization’s commitment to responsible water and air quality stewardship.

Through all its endeavors and with every initiative, the St. Louis Aquarium reinforces its three guiding principles: Education, Conservation and Imagination. From habitat restoration to recycling and creative reuse strategies, the Aquarium continues to show how small, intentional changes can spark meaningful environmental impact.

For more information about Saint Louis Aquarium at Union Station and how your organization can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the Challenge’s bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.

As a proud participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, Missouri American Water continues to set the standard for environmental leadership. During the Challenge year, the company reported on its Champion Innovation Project – the South Water Treatment Plant Intake System Replacement – a transformative upgrade that underscores how essential service providers can also be leaders in clean air and climate resilience.

Through this forward-thinking infrastructure project, Missouri American Water has delivered measurable, high-impact results that support both environmental stewardship and long-term community health. The Clean Air Partnership is pleased to shine a spotlight on the company for its bold commitment to green infrastructure, helping build a cleaner, more sustainable future for the St. Louis region.

“We are excited to reinforce Environmental Stewardship, one of American Water’s core values, with the replacement of this key facility needed to supply safe and reliable water to our customers in South St. Louis County,” said Mattie Zautner, staff engineer for Missouri American Water.

The project included a host of innovative design elements that support both water quality and air quality goals. One of the most critical enhancements was the elevation of all pump motors and electrical components, positioned nearly 10 feet above the record flood level. This unique design helps reduce the risk of flood damage and ensures ongoing system reliability, even during extreme weather events driven by climate change.

In another nod to sustainability, the company installed six new high-efficiency intake pumps, each with a dedicated flow meter to monitor energy performance. These meters offer real-time insights into pump efficiency, helping reduce energy consumption and associated emissions, which are key contributors to the region’s air quality.

To further minimize operational impact, automated water flushing and air burst cleaning systems were added to reduce the need for manual maintenance and maintain optimal system function. Each pump is also equipped with three vibration sensors to detect potential issues early and improve operational efficiency.

Also part of the project, the addition of standby emergency power not only improved resiliency but ensured continued access to clean water without interruption, which is an especially critical service during climate events. Improved site access also supports safer, more efficient service for large vehicles and maintenance crews, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions that have a negative impact on air quality.

For more information about Missouri American Water and how your organization can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the Challenge’s bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.

Transit riders and those visiting local establishments along the MetroLink alignment on Wednesday, July 30, be on the lookout for oversized white envelopes with a big, red question mark. These will be hidden in plain sight on the MetroLink and MetroBuses, as well as at Metro Transit Centers and nearby attractions. If you find one, take it, look inside and claim your FREE ride – as each will feature either a complimentary monthly pass for August (valued at $78) or a Metro Adventure Day Pass (valued at $5).

This daylong “surprise and delight” is part of the summerlong “No Red Day” campaign designed to educate community members about the impact of unhealthy air quality and how simple steps, like taking transit, can help prevent a red day from happening. This is particularly important as summer reaches its peak because higher temperatures combined with vehicle emissions can create dangerous levels of ground-level ozone pollution. Red air quality days are the worst on the Air Quality Index and can have serious health consequences for vulnerable populations, including children, seniors and people with respiratory conditions.

If you aren’t among the dozens of individuals to find free passes on July 30, be reminded that all who register for the “No Red Day” campaign at NoRedDay.com receive a Metro Adventure Day Pass via mail to give transit a try.

Join the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership and Citizens for Modern Transit – along with Metro Transit and hundreds of area residents – in this clean air movement today. Visit NoRedDay.com to learn more.

For more than half a century, Growing Green has served as St. Louis’ premier plantscaping company, presenting beautiful indoor and outdoor garden design solutions that enhance and optimize the functionality of workspaces. With a curated mission to create thoughtfully designed spaces that promote health, happiness, and productivity, the Clean Air Partnership is delighted to shine a spotlight on the company for its commitment to making a difference for other local businesses – large or small – while keeping sustainability at the forefront of its operations. 

As a participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge at the Leader Level, Growing Green conducted Indoor Plant Week visits to existing and potential clients to educate them on plant benefits for working environments and the difference between living plants vs. faux plants in the workspace. Additionally, the company had its Green Team members attend a Sustainability Tradeshow to explore sustainable and compostable office material options, which led to using sustainable toilet paper and compostable kitchen towels in the office space. The company also elected to offer compostable and recyclable takeaway containers for its travel crew and kitchenware for in-office staff to use. 

“Becoming more sustainable is a priority for us at Growing Green,” said Jodi Stumpf, Director of Operations for Growing Green. “The Green Business Challenge has pushed us to explore new ways to cut waste and commit to more environmentally friendly practices. By making sustainability a focus, we’re supporting our team, clients, community and planet.” 

To help further reduce environmental impact, Growing Green introduced a new solar paneled work van to reduce its overall carbon footprint as its electrical equipment can run for up to four out of eight hours in a working day. And during the Challenge, Growing Green continually strived to reuse and repurpose holiday decor and ornaments. When this could no longer be done for client work, the company donated still useful items to partner charities. Growing Green also opted to repurpose and return certain containers to company plant vendors for reuse where possible.  

Other ways the company stayed green all year long included composting to cut down on excess waste, making every effort to buy local, testing solar-powered water pumps for its watering vehicles, transitioning from gas-powered lawn tools and equipment to electric-powered, scheduling service routes to maximize efficiency and save fuel, using biological controls such as beneficial insects and insecticidal soaps to reduce the use of synthetic chemicals and more. 

For more information about Growing Green and how your organization can get involved in the Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @gatewaycleanair. 

Bi-State Development operates Metro Transit for the St. Louis region, providing the greater metropolitan area with sustainable and accessible transportation through light rail, bus and paratransit routes serving communities in St. Louis and St. Louis County in Missouri and in St. Clair County in Illinois. As a participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge and proud partner of the Clean Air Partnership, we’re pleased to highlight the organization’s outstanding efforts to incorporate green business practices that helped earn them recognition at the Leader Level.

Over the course of the 2024 Challenge, Metro Transit elected to report on its partnership with Ameren Missouri that powered its fleet of 24 electric buses operating out of the Brentwood MetroBus facility. The facility is powered by a nearby substation featuring smart technology that includes automated sensors, switches and self-healing equipment.

During the Challenge year, Metro Transit achieved an impressive sustainability milestone marking 1.5 million miles traveled for its battery-electric bus fleet. The public transit system also formalized a contract to acquire 55 MetroLink train cars with battery onboard energy storage, which can support up to five miles of off-wire operation.

Other notable accomplishments included Metro Transit’s sponsorship of the annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival, where team members engaged with the local sustainability community at the Muny grounds in Forest Park. Metro team members manned the booth and enjoyed interacting with crowds, spreading positive transit news and handing out fun giveaways with a clean and green electric bus serving as a vivid backdrop.

Last but certainly not least, Metro Transit was awarded more than $10 million by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through its Low-and-No-Emission (Low-No) Vehicle program. The grant funding is going toward enhancing MetroBus service and improving air quality in the bi-state area through its purchase of new American-made, hybrid diesel-electric buses, which is a big win for the region!

“Bi-State Development’s participation in the Green Business Challenge goes hand in hand with our mission to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Taulby Roach, President & CEO of Bi-State Development. “We continue to make investments to strengthen the sustainability of our operations and our facilities, upgrade our transit fleet with new low and zero-emission vehicles, and adopt new technology that helps us deliver environmental and economic benefits to the entire St. Louis region.”

For more information about how to get your organization involved in the Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @gatewaycleanair.