Introduction
Maintaining air quality in Montana is everyone's business. Whether in Montana homes, factories, offices, or on roadways, all Montanans have an important role to play in improving and preserving air quality. It's an ongoing effort involving citizens, industries, and government agencies throughout the state. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has prepared this guide to help Montanans understand the issues that affect not only the quality of air, but also the quality of life under the Big Sky.
This Citizens' Guide to Air Quality in Montana takes a sweeping look at the past, present, and future of air quality policy and maintenance in Montana, including:
- the historical events that helped shape federal and state policies;
- factors that contribute to poor air quality;
- how various pollutants affect public health and the environment;
- efforts to manage current and future air quality issues in Montana; and
- several simple ideas that everyone can use to help preserve and improve Montana's air quality.
This guide also includes additional sources of information for anyone who would like to further explore the sources, effects, and efforts to control air pollution in Montana and across the nation.
With this information, DEQ hopes that all citizens will better understand their role in managing, maintaining, and improving Montana's air quality for themselves, their environment, and their future.
