By 
November 6, 2025
The weeds can get pretty high if you want to delve into the details. There is PM 2.5 and attainment and emissions and regulations and, yes, the weeds can get pretty high.
But there are people in the City’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) who live in those weeds, taking proactive steps and making accurate assessments of the air quality in Huntsville. And if you live in Huntsville, you know the air quality is just fine if not outstanding.
However, that’s not a brag point to breeze past.
Perhaps you’ve heard that Huntsville is growing – a lot. An average of 18 people per day move here and that’s not including people who relocate to the Huntsville area but don’t live in the city limits. And perhaps you’ve noticed that, at certain times of the day on certain roads, traffic can slow down a bit.
And perhaps you’re aware that Huntsville, by design, has seen a sharp increase over the last decade or two in advanced manufacturing.
Yet despite all those factors that could be detriments to air quality, the air has actually improved.
“We remain in attainment with the National Ambient Air Quality standards and have remained in attainment as the city grows,” said Darlene Elliott, the City’s Director of Natural Resources. “We’ve also tightened certain standards over time.”
The air quality testing station in John Hunt Park is one fo two in the City of Huntsville. The other is off Capshaw Road.
While key standards are established by the federal government through the Clean Air Act, DNR adheres to its role – which includes keeping check on air quality to make sure it is not compromised.
That begins with air quality monitoring stations in John Hunt Park near the center of Huntsville as well as a station on Capshaw Road in the western part.
What affects air quality?
Motor vehicles, as might be expected, are the most significant threat to air quality. According to DNR environmental specialist Kevin Johnson, federal emission standards have lessened the impact of motor vehicle pollution.
“As traffic counts have increased around Huntsville, particulate levels have not increased noticeably,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t seem like there is a correlation between an increase in PM 2.5 versus an increase in traffic count numbers.”
OK, a quick trip into the weeds:
Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 is the one generally of greatest concern to the medical community. These pollutants are so small that once they get into your lungs, they cannot be removed. Bottom line, in Huntsville, this is not an issue.
“Some people actually think that in terms of fine particulate, we are about at background levels,” Johnson said. “And when I say background levels, I think the question is coming up, ‘Is it possible to get fine particulate lower than this?’
“Obviously if there are no vehicles or emission sources, potentially it would get lower than this. However, when we look at our historical data, we’re about as low in terms of PM 2.5 as we have been on record.”
Growth of advanced manufacturing
The growth of advanced manufacturing has also not had a negative effect on air quality. Monitoring compliance with environmental standards by businesses large and small is part of the job at DNR. And Huntsville businesses have been good environmental partners, striving to follow the guidelines set by the City and federal regulations.
“The permitting and compliance section of Natural Resources works closely with local businesses,” Johnson said.
As you enjoy the clean air in Huntsville, know that residents have a role in maintaining that quality.
“It’s good to let the public know that it’s not just industrial facilities,” Elliott said. “Your main source of pollution is coming from automobiles. You can do your part, too. What are your driving habits? We should be efficient when we are out in our cars so we can minimize the number of times our cars are on the road. And don’t go into your backyard and burn a big pile of wood every day. That’s not good to breathe in. It’s also a violation of the City’s Open Burning Ordinance.”
So the next time you step outside for that breath of fresh air, just know it’s not an accident the air is, indeed, fresh.
