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Ohio

  • Population: 11.61 million
  • Size: 44,825 square miles

Air

Air Healthy to Breathe

Under the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is required to set and review National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common outdoor air pollutants (also known as “criteria” air pollutants): nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ground-level ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb).

Four of these pollutants (NO2, SO2, CO, and Pb) emit directly from a variety of sources. Ozone is not directly emitted, but is formed when oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. PM can be emitted, or it can be formed when emissions of NOx, sulfur oxides (SOx), ammonia, organic compounds, and other gases react in the atmosphere.

It is important for states to regulate these pollutants to minimize harmful health effects to Americans. Learn more.

A girl playing with bubbles in a park

Economic Indicators versus Emissions of Common Pollutants

Since xxxx, Ohio's economy demonstrated continuous growth, its population increased, and its citizens drove more miles.

Concurrently, the combined emissions of common outdoor air pollutants xxxxed by xx%.

Communities directly affect pollutant emissions as populations increase and citizens engage in activities like driving cars. Common outdoor air pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This measure encompasses both point and nonpoint source emissions.

Learn more about common pollutants.

Percent Change

Data Source(s)

Point Source Emissions

The amount of point source outdoor air pollutants emitted has improved for x out of x metrics since xxxx.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

xx.x%

since xxxx

xx.x

in xxxx

(tons/yr)

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

xx.x%

since xxxx

xx.x

in xxxx

(tons/yr)

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

xx.x%

since xxxx

xx.x

in xxxx

(tons/yr)

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)

xx.x%

since xxxx

xx.x

in xxxx

(tons/yr)

Particles 10 micrometers or less (PM10)

xx.x%

since xxxx

xx.x

in xxxx

(tons/yr)

Particles 2.5 micrometers or less (PM2.5)

xx.x%

since xxxx

xx.x

in xxxx

(tons/yr)

Point source outdoor air pollutants are emitted directly from single identifiable, fixed locations. Common point sources include large industrial facilities like oil refineries, electric power and sewage treatment plants, and airports, as well as small industrial, non-industrial, and commercial facilities like dry cleaners, gas stations, and livestock farms. Not included in this category are nonpoint sources like motor vehicle emissions. 

Learn more about point source air pollution emissions.

Data Source(s)

Ambient Air Pollution

X out of x standards measured in Ohio are currently at or below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).*

Ambient (or atmospheric) air quality refers to the concentration of pollutants in the outdoor air. Ambient air is regulated by U.S. EPA and maintained by states through the NAAQS, which is the set of guidelines on acceptable concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ground-level ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb). NAAQS seek to protect the public, especially “sensitive” populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly, from harmful ambient air pollutants. 

For the purposes of ECOS Results, individual states had discretion with regard to the geographical scope of areas reported.

Learn more about the Standards.

Percent Above or Below NAAQS Standard

National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) NAAQS Value xxxx Value % Above or Below NAAQS
Carbon Monoxide (CO)8-hours daily maximum concentrations, not to be exceeded more than once per year (ppm) 9 xx xx.x%
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 AMEAN)Annual Mean (ppb) 53 xx xx.x%
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 P98V)98th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum concentrations, averaged over 3 years (ppb) 100 xx xx.x%
Ozone (O3)Annual 4th highest daily maximum 8-hours concentrations, averaged over 3 years (ppm) 0.070 xx xx.x%
Pollution of Particulate Matter 10 μm or less (PM10)24-hours daily maximum concentrations not to be exceeded more than once per year, averaged over 3 years (μg/m3) 150 xx xx.x%
Pollution of Particulate Matter 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5 WTDAM) Annual mean, averaged over 3 years (μg/m3) 12.0 xx xx.x%
Pollution of Particulate Matter 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5 P98V) 98th percentile of 24-hours daily maximum concentrations, averaged over 3 years (μg/m3) 35 xx xx.x%
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 P99V) 99th percentile of 1-hr daily maximum concentrations, averaged over 3 years (ppb) 75 xx xx.x%
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 AMEAN) 3-hour maximum concentrations not to be exceeded more than once per year (ppm) 30 xx xx.x%

* Read Ohio Insights

This data reflects an average of measurements taken in Cuyahoga County.

Data Source(s)
  • U.S. EPA's Report on the Environment (ROE)
    • Land

    Less and Properly Managed Waste

    To adequately protect public health and the environment from hazardous waste contamination, U.S. EPA and states implement the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the national framework of solid waste control. States employe various metrics to illustrate how waste is managed and whether facilities are complying with regulations.

    The sun setting on a corn field

    Brownfield Cleanups Since xxxx

    As a result of Ohio's efforts, xxxx acres of contaminated land† have been made available for reuse!*

    A brownfield is a property whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, utilizes existing infrastructure, removes development pressures from undeveloped land, and protects the environment.

    For the purposes of ECOS Results, individual states had discretion with regard to whether they show both their state and U.S. EPA-led cleanups. States and EPA may have different definitions of “Acres Ready for Reuse.”

    Learn more about brownfield programs.

    † acreage only includes EPA led cleanups

    Cleanups Completed

    Acres ready for reuse†

    Brownfield Cleanups in Ohio

    * Read Ohio Insights

    State data reflects the number of Voluntary Action Program (VAP) Covenants Not to Sue per year.

    Data Source(s)

    Facilities Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

    The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) protects communities and promotes resource conservation through safe management and cleanup of solid and hazardous waste, and encouragement of source reduction and beneficial use. Learn more about RCRA.

    % of RCRA Inspections in Which No Significant Non-Compliance is Found (RCRA Subtitle C)

    RCRA Subtitle C provides “cradle-to-grave” regulation of hazardous waste by establishing management requirements for generators and transporters of hazardous waste and for owners and operators of hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Under Subtitle C, U.S. EPA may authorize states to implement key provisions of the requirements, including permitting, enforcement, and corrective action or cleanup.

    Learn more about inspections in which no significant non-compliance is found.

    Data Source(s)
    • ECHO's State Hazardous Waste Dashboard
    Water

    Water Clean and Available for All Uses

    U.S. EPA and states have made significant progress in improving water quality since enactment of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) decades ago. Challenges remain, however, in areas like maintaining infrastructure and limiting nutrient pollution. States have different means of assessing water quality, but all report on water quality by measuring the concentration of pollutants and sedimentation from point (direct) and nonpoint (indirect) sources. Water infrastructure funding and compliance with state and federal regulations are primary factors in improving the health of waterbodies. Learn more.

    Boy playing in water outside

    Drinking Water

    The U.S. has one of the world’s most reliable and safe supplies of drinking water, with millions of Americans daily accessing high-quality public water systems. Drinking water facilities must comply with federal and state regulations to meet the stringent drinking water standards. Note that other Americans rely on non-community sources of water like private wells, which are not included in this measure.

    Learn more about drinking water.

    Percent of Ohio's population being served by compliant community water systems

    x.xx%
    xxxx
    x.xx%
    xxxx
    x.xx%
    xxxx

    Percent of Ohio's community water systems meeting all applicable health-based standards

    x.xx%
    xxxx
    x.xx%
    xxxx
    x.xx%
    xxxx
    Data Source(s)
    • U.S. EPA's Office of Water

    Point Source Water Pollution

    Percent of Major Wastewater Dischargers without Significant Noncompliance

    Wastewater discharges from industrial and commercial sources may contain pollutants at levels that could adversely affect the quality of receiving waters or interfere with publicly owned treatment works that receive those discharges.

    Learn more about wastewater dischargers.

    x.xx%
    xxxx
    x.xx%
    xxxx
    x.xx%
    xxxx
    Data Source(s)

    x out of 2 metrics have improved since xxxx*

    Point source pollution comes from a single fixed, identifiable location. Examples include discharges from wastewater treatment plants, operational wastes from industries, and combined sewer outfalls.

    Learn more about point source pollution.

    Nitrogen Discharge

    xx.xx%

    since xxxx

    in xxxx

    (lbs)

    Phosphorus Discharge

    since xxxx

    in xxxx

    (lbs)

    * Read Ohio Insights

    Ohio’s Nutrient Mass Balance Study

    A nutrient mass balance has been completed for seven major watersheds in Ohio covering 63 percent of the state’s land area. The watersheds studied were in both the Lake Erie and Ohio River drainages. The objective of the study was to determine nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) loads and relative proportions of point and nonpoint sources. The study highlights differences noted between the watersheds both as total loads and relative contributions from different sources in the watersheds. The study identifies opportunities for data collection and new approaches that can refine future analysis on a biennial basis.  The report is to be updated two years and to be published with the state’s Water Quality Intergraded Report (also published in even numbered years).

    Access Ohio’s 2016 Nutrient Mass Balance Report here: http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dsw/wqs/NutrientReduction.aspx#146065085-nutrient-mass-balance

    Data Source(s)

    Investments in Water Infrastructure

    Wastewater

    $ invested cumulatively

    invested since xxxx

    projects since xxxx

    Drinking Water

    $ invested cumulatively

    invested since xxxx

    projects since xxxx

    States rely on federal funding and collaborative technical support to adequately update and maintain the nation’s aging drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. The federal Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF and DWSRF) are among the most successful and cost-effective environmental programs enacted by Congress and carried out by states with U.S. EPA guidance. The CWSRF has facilitated hundreds of wastewater, stormwater, energy-efficiency, nonpoint source, and green infrastructure projects. The DWSRF assists with the costs of ensuring safe drinking water supplies and helps small communities to meet their responsibilities. These funds account for only a portion of funding for water infrastructure in a state.

    Learn more about investments.

    Data Source(s)

    Share Ohio's progress

    Learn more about Ohio's work on protecting human health and the environment at their website.

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