Air pollution levels are typically higher in urban areas than in more rural settings. |
Air pollution levels are typically higher in urban areas than in more rural settings. This is largely due to the concentration of human activities that occurs in cities. There are more automobiles and buses, more industries, more fireplaces and lawnmowers--more of everything per square mile than in the less populated rural areas. Wichita is fortunate to have very few days when the wind is calm. Our prevailing southwest winds dilute urban pollutants and assist our efforts to reduce emissions from air pollution sources.
The Air Quality Section has conducted an urban air toxic sampling project since 1989 to measure levels of urban pollution and provide data for trend analysis. KDHE is currently conducting a trend analysis to see toxic air pollutants in Wichita have changed in the type or concentration present in the ambient air over this fifteen year period.